The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not take a position on the legal dispute over the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) until it receives the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment delivered in Lokoja.
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 27, 2026, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission was aware of the ruling delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, but could not comment on its implications without first reviewing the certified judgment.
He said the commission’s legal department would study the ruling upon receipt of the CTC and advise on the appropriate course of action in line with the law.
The statement followed Friday’s decision by Justice Isah Dashen, who set aside the Federal High Court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
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The court held that the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claims ownership of the logo used to obtain the registration order, was not joined in the original suit despite having a direct interest in the case.
It consequently restored all parties to their positions before the December 2025 judgment and ordered a fresh hearing of the substantive suit with all necessary parties joined.
The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the decision did not amount to the party’s deregistration and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to reopen a matter after delivering a final judgment.
INEC said it would announce its position after its legal team completes a review of the certified judgment.