Fresh Twist in NDC Saga as INEC Breaks Silence on Court Judgment

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja that overturned an earlier order relating to the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the electoral body said it was aware of widespread reports about the June 26 ruling but would refrain from taking a position until its legal team reviews the court’s decision.
According to the commission, any action on the matter will be guided strictly by the contents of the judgment once the official court document is obtained and examined.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress,” Oketola stated.
He added that the commission had not yet received the Certified True Copy of the judgment and, therefore, could not comment on the specifics of the ruling.
“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives. Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” he said.
INEC’s response comes amid growing attention over Friday’s ruling by Justice Isah Dashen, who nullified a December 10, 2025 judgment that had directed the commission to register the NDC as a political party.
The court held that the earlier judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined in the original suit despite claiming ownership of the logo allegedly used by the NDC to secure its registration.
As a result, Justice Dashen ordered all parties to revert to the position they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the case be reheard with all necessary parties properly included.
The latest development leaves the future of the NDC hanging in the balance as stakeholders await INEC’s next move.