By Emmanuel Onyedika
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected reports that the Federal High Court in Lokoja ordered its deregistration, maintaining that the party remains legally recognised and has already begun the process of appealing the ruling.
Speaking at a press briefing, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, National Chairman of the party, clarified that the judgment did not amount to an order cancelling the NDC’s registration. He recalled that in December 2025, the party secured a favourable judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC after its initial application was declined.
Since then, the party has conducted nationwide membership registration, congresses, conventions, and primary elections, participated in INEC activities, and sponsored candidates in bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.
Zuwoghe questioned the legal standing of the suit filed by the Peace Movement Party, arguing that the group is not a registered political party and did not challenge the earlier judgment through the proper appellate process. He stressed that the party’s lawyers have been directed to approach the Court of Appeal to challenge both the jurisdiction and basis of the decision. “There was no order directing the deregistration of our party,” he said.