🚨 BREAKING: Federal High Court Sets Aside Judgment Ordering INEC to Register NDC

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
In its ruling, the court held that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because all necessary parties were not joined in the proceedings before the order was made. The court found that the omission affected the validity of the judgment and rendered it liable to be set aside.
Consequently, the court nullified its previous order compelling INEC to register the NDC and directed that all actions taken by the electoral commission pursuant to that judgment be reversed.
The ruling represents a significant legal development in the ongoing efforts by the NDC to secure official recognition as a political party. It effectively restores the legal position that existed before the earlier judgment, pending any fresh legal action, appeal, or further directive from the courts.
The decision also underscores the importance of ensuring that all parties with a legal interest in a matter are properly joined before a court reaches a determination. Failure to do so, the court held, can render proceedings constitutionally defective and liable to be invalidated.
Neither INEC nor the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress had issued an official statement on the ruling as of the time of filing this report. Further legal steps are expected as interested parties review the judgment and consider their available options.
More details will be provided as they become available.