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The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), restoring the party’s legal status ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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In a majority decision delivered on Friday, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court erred by revisiting its earlier final judgment of December 10, 2025, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
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The ruling removes a major legal uncertainty hanging over the political platform of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who are the NDC’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 election.
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The Court of Appeal also dismissed claims surrounding the NDC’s disputed logo, while Justice Okon Abang dissented and held that he would have upheld the Federal High Court judgment against the party.
September 19, (THEWILL) – The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has restored the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), clearing a major legal hurdle confronting the political platform of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appellate court, in a majority decision delivered on Friday, September 18, 2026, set aside the June 26, 2026 judgment of Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, which had nullified the NDC’s registration.
THEWILLÂ reports that the ruling effectively restores the position created by an earlier judgment of the same Federal High Court delivered on December 10, 2025, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
The latest decision followed an appeal by the NDC against the June judgment, which had reversed the earlier order recognising the party.
At the centre of the dispute was whether the Federal High Court could revisit and effectively overturn its own final judgment after it had directed INEC to register the NDC.
The Court of Appeal majority held that the lower court erred by entertaining a matter that sought to overturn its earlier judgment.
The appellate court found that the subsequent decision amounted to an improper exercise of judicial power, given that the Federal High Court had already delivered a final judgment on the issue.
The legal battle also involved a dispute over the symbol used by the NDC, with the Peace Movement Party (PMP) claiming that the logo belonged to it.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the claims surrounding the disputed symbol, clearing another major obstacle that had featured in the Federal High Court proceedings.
How The Legal Battle Started
The dispute dates back to December 10, 2025, when Justice Dashen ordered INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
The order followed legal proceedings challenging the electoral commission’s position on the party’s registration.
The decision subsequently came under challenge from the PMP, which argued that the NDC’s registration involved a logo that belonged to it. The PMP also contended that it had an interest in the matter and ought to have been joined in the original proceedings before the court issued the order directing INEC to register the NDC.
Justice Dashen, in his June 26, 2026 judgment, accepted the argument and reversed the effect of his earlier decision.
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The Federal High Court ruling effectively threw the NDC’s registration into doubt at a time when political parties were already preparing for the 2027 elections.
The NDC subsequently approached the Court of Appeal, arguing that the Federal High Court could not sit as an appellate court over its own final judgment.
Appeal Court Decision
In its latest judgment, the Court of Appeal agreed with the NDC on the central issue. The majority held that the Federal High Court had exceeded its judicial powers by revisiting its earlier final judgment and setting aside the order directing INEC to register the NDC.
The appellate court consequently set aside the June 26 judgment and restored the position created by the December 10, 2025 judgment.
The decision removes the immediate uncertainty surrounding the NDC’s legal status as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The Court of Appeal also dismissed the arguments relating to the disputed logo, which had formed an important part of the proceedings before the Federal High Court.
The majority decision therefore clears both the registration dispute and the immediate legal challenge connected to the party’s symbol.
Justice Okon Abang, however, disagreed with the majority decision. In his dissenting judgment, Abang held that he would have upheld the Federal High Court’s decision against the NDC.
However, the majority decision remains the judgment of the appellate court and restores the NDC’s registration unless subsequently affected by further judicial proceedings.
Implications For 2027
The judgment comes as political parties and prospective candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The NDC has emerged as one of the platforms around which opposition political activity is being organised ahead of the presidential election.
Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi is the NDC’s presidential candidate, while former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
The party is led by former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson, who has been overseeing efforts to build the NDC into a national political platform ahead of the election.
The legal uncertainty created by the June Federal High Court ruling had the potential to complicate the party’s preparations, particularly regarding its legal recognition and participation in the electoral process.
Friday’s Court of Appeal judgment provides a significant judicial development in that regard by restoring the NDC’s registration and setting aside the ruling that had nullified it.
The decision also removes, at least at the appellate level, the immediate dispute over the party’s logo and the circumstances surrounding its registration.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the ruling gives the NDC a clearer legal position from which to continue its political activities, candidate mobilisation and preparations for the election.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
