Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has been struck off INEC’s list of registered political parties after a Federal High Court in Lokoja reversed its earlier order that forced the electoral commission to recognise it.
The fresh ruling was delivered by the Lokoja court after a challenge led by the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, according to a report by TheInsightLensProject.com.
ADA had argued that the NDC failed to meet INEC’s statutory requirements, including completing registration through the commission’s official portal and submitting key documents such as its manifesto.
The court’s new judgment vacates the previous order that compelled INEC to register the NDC. With that legal basis removed, the party is no longer recognised as a registered political party under Nigerian law.
The implication is immediate: INEC is no longer under any obligation to retain the NDC on its register of political parties, and the party cannot field or sponsor candidates in elections until it secures fresh recognition.
The NDC had earlier secured a court directive that led INEC to include it among recognised parties.
That move drew objections from other political associations, which questioned the party’s compliance with registration rules. The objections triggered a review, culminating in Thursday’s reversal.
The court held that there were “legal and procedural issues” with the earlier judgement, making it necessary to set it aside.
The decision leaves the NDC’s political activities on hold. The party now faces two options: appeal the judgement or reinitiate the registration process by fully complying with INEC’s requirements.
Until it does so, the NDC remains a party without legal standing to contest elections.