By SUNTV Global Channel | Africa News Coverage
June 27, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not take any action regarding the recent Federal High Court judgment affecting the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s ruling.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
According to INEC, although it is aware of widespread media reports about the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, it cannot officially comment on the matter until its legal department studies the certified court documents.
“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the Certified True Copy of the judgment, INEC will take an informed and lawful decision in line with the court’s directives,” the statement said.
The commission urged Nigerians to remain patient and await its official position after the legal review is completed.
The development follows Friday’s ruling by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, directing INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The court ruled that the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the “Victory Sign” logo used by the NDC during its registration process, was not joined in the original suit despite having a direct interest in the matter. Consequently, the court nullified the previous judgment and ordered that the case be heard afresh with all necessary parties included.
Despite the ruling, the NDC has rejected the judgment, insisting that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to overturn its own final decision. The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the ruling does not amount to the deregistration of the party and announced plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The judgment has sparked widespread political reactions across Nigeria. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the decision as a setback for democracy, alleging it could weaken opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Similarly, the African Action Congress (AAC) condemned the ruling, claiming it threatens Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system and warning against what it described as attempts to suppress opposition voices.
Meanwhile, the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alongside the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other opposition figures, have also criticized the judgment, vowing to pursue every available legal avenue to overturn the ruling.
For now, INEC has maintained that no official decision will be taken until its legal team receives and examines the Certified True Copy of the court judgment in accordance with the law.
