The presidential candidate of the The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed disappointment with a court ruling reversing an earlier order to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday, set aside its earlier judgement directing INEC to register NDC as a political party.
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The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP) in which it asked that the December 2025 judgement be set aside because it was not joined in the suit.
The judge, Isah Dashen, upheld the PMP application and ruled that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.
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The judge then declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void, and ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgement, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
‘Serious Setback for Nigerian Democracy’
Reacting in a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday night, Mr Obi described the ruling as “a serious setback for Nigerian democracy.”
The NDC candidate, a former governor of Anambra State, said he was at
Madonna University for an engagement when his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, informed him of the court ruling.
“This judgement represents another setback for our democracy and the institutions upon which our future depends.
“It is regrettable that some who claim to champion democracy now appear determined to weaken the very institutions that sustain it.
“In doing so, they are undermining public confidence and endangering the future of millions of Nigerians,” he said.
‘Legislature, judiciary losing independence’
Mr Obi argued that Nigeria’s legislature and the judiciary were constantly being influenced by the executive arm of government.
“Democracy cannot thrive where institutions lose their independence and credibility,” he stated.
The former governor recalled that he had condemned a similar now voided ruling which initially ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.
“I do so again today because my position has always been guided by principle,” he said of his condemnation of Friday’s ruling.
The NDC candidate said his concern was on the workability of Nigeria, not about who becomes the country’s president in 2027.
“Our politics must move beyond the quest for power and focus instead on building a united nation founded on justice, strong institutions, the rule of law, and equal opportunity.
“I therefore urge all well-meaning Nigerians to rise above partisan interests and defend our democracy. The survival of our institutions is inseparable from the survival of our nation,” he stated.
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