The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi state, on Friday, June 26, set aside its earlier judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The presiding judge, Justice Isah Dashen, held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made. The court upheld an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the organization was a necessary party to the suit.
According to the judge, the initial judgment was constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties, an omission that rendered the entire process null and void. Justice Dashen further observed that certain material facts had been suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified vacating the order.
The court ordered that the status quo be restored to its state before the December 10, 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit. Consequently, the entire case must begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP, and the NDC all joined as parties.
With this action, unless if reversed, the presidential and vice residential candidates candidates of the NDC, Mr Peter Obi and Rafiu Kwankwaso will not be in the next election.