The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will review the recent Federal High Court judgment concerning the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after obtaining the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s decision.
According to the Commission, it is awaiting the official copy of the judgment before determining the appropriate administrative and legal steps to take in compliance with the court’s ruling.
The judgment, delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, set aside an earlier decision that had compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party. Following the ruling, the NDC announced that it would appeal the decision, maintaining that the court did not order its deregistration and insisting that it remains a registered political party pending the outcome of the appeal.
INEC emphasized that it would carefully study the contents of the judgment once the Certified True Copy is received to fully understand its implications and ensure that any action taken is consistent with the law and the directives of the court.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to respecting judicial decisions while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities as Nigeria’s electoral management body.
Political observers note that obtaining the Certified True Copy of a judgment is a standard legal and administrative practice, allowing parties and affected institutions to accurately interpret the court’s orders before taking further action.
The legal dispute surrounding the NDC has become one of the earliest significant electoral cases ahead of the 2027 general elections, drawing reactions from political parties and other stakeholders concerned about the country’s democratic process.
The Court of Appeal is expected to hear the NDC’s challenge to the Lokoja judgment, a decision that could provide greater clarity on the party’s legal status before the conclusion of INEC’s candidate submission process.
For now, INEC says it will await the official court documents and act in accordance with the law, while continuing preparations for the 2027 general elections.
