The presidential candidacy of former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi is facing stormy waters after a court issued a ruling on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
This is as a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has vacated its previous ruling that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC—the political platform under which Peter Obi is positioned as a leading figure.
The presiding judge, Justice Isah Dashen, set aside the December 2025 judgment following a suit by the Peace Movement Party (PMP).
The PMP approached the court arguing that the NDC’s registration relied on a logo and identity that the PMP had already legally submitted to INEC.
In delivering his ruling, Justice Dashen highlighted several critical failures in the initial process.
The court ruled that the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective because all necessary and interested parties—specifically the PMP—were not heard before the decision was reached.
The judge observed that key facts regarding the political party’s identity and logo had been actively suppressed during the ruling
The court ordered that all parties return to the positions they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
Consequently, any action taken by INEC to recognize the NDC or issue registration certificates stands legally reversed.
Counsel to the applicant (PMP), C. S. Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.
“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.
He explained that the implication of the ruling is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed.
”The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.
He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided.
”The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”
Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
