INEC Breaks Silence on NDC Judgment, Refuses Immediate Action as Political Tension Deepens

By Passman Akpos

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to take an official position on the recent Federal High Court ruling that set aside its earlier order directing the commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the electoral body said it is still awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, before making any decision.

According to the commission, while it is aware of widespread media reports surrounding the ruling, its legal department must first study the certified judgment before determining the commission’s next line of action.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s order,” the statement read.

INEC assured Nigerians that it would act strictly within the law after reviewing the court’s decision.

The development comes barely 24 hours after Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja nullified the court’s earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, which had compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

Justice Dashen ruled that the earlier decision was constitutionally defective because the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the “victory sign” logo allegedly used by the NDC in its registration process, was not joined as a necessary party in the original suit.

The court consequently restored the status quo that existed before the December 2025 judgment and ordered that the substantive case begin afresh with all affected parties—including INEC, the NDC, and the PMP—properly joined.

Counsel to the PMP, Chikezie Ekeocha, said the court agreed that his client’s interests had been directly affected by the earlier judgment.

According to him, every action taken by INEC pursuant to the now-vacated judgment—including the recognition of the NDC, issuance of its certificate of registration, and inclusion in the commission’s records—would be reversed pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

He, however, clarified that the case has not been concluded, stressing that the court merely ordered a fresh hearing with all necessary parties participating.

The ruling has sparked strong political reactions across the country.

The NDC immediately rejected the judgment, insisting that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to revisit and overturn its own final decision.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, argued that the trial court became functus officio after delivering its judgment in December 2025 and therefore lacked the legal authority to reopen the matter.

He announced that the party would challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn the decision.

Opposition parties also condemned the judgment.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the ruling as “a setback for democracy,” alleging that it further narrows Nigeria’s democratic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the African Action Congress (AAC) warned that the decision could pave the way for what it described as a “one-party dictatorship,” calling on Nigerians to peacefully defend the country’s democratic values.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other opposition figures, who vowed to exhaust all legal options to challenge the ruling.

Despite mounting political pressure and public debate, INEC has maintained that it will not comment further until its legal team receives and reviews the Certified True Copy of the judgment before taking any lawful action.