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A High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, 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, ordering a fresh hearing of the case.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen held that the earlier decision was reached without hearing all relevant parties, making it procedurally and constitutionally defective.
The judge stressed that due process must be observed in adjudication, noting that “all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.”
The court upheld an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it was a necessary party to the dispute but had not been initially joined in the proceedings that led to the December 10, 2025 judgment.
Justice Dashen agreed with the argument, ruling that the omission was fatal to the validity of the earlier decision. He declared that the failure to hear affected parties rendered the judgment “null and void.” He further ordered the restoration of the status quo ante, meaning the position existing before the December 2025 judgment, until the substantive matter is determined.
The court also noted that material facts had been suppressed during the earlier proceedings, a factor it said justified the decision to overturn the judgment and restart the case.
Consequently, Justice Dashen directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh, with INEC, the NDC, and the PMP properly joined as parties.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, said the court recognised that the Peace Movement Party’s rights were affected, particularly over claims that the NDC’s registration was linked to a logo previously submitted by the PMP to INEC.
Ekeocha explained that the court ordered a reversal of all actions taken based on the earlier judgment. According to him, “the recognition of the NDC, 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registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit.”
He, however, clarified that the case has not been concluded, adding that the court only ensured that all affected parties are heard before a fresh determination is made.
The ruling effectively returns the dispute to the High Court for a full hearing with all stakeholders now formally included.
