The Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in a ruling that could significantly affect the emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision has prompted allies of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to announce plans to appeal, while the media team of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged opposition leaders to remain united despite the legal setback.

The NDC has been widely viewed as a potential political platform for leading opposition figures, including Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen nullified the court’s earlier ruling of December 10, 2025, which had ordered INEC to register the NDC.

The judge held that the previous judgment was reached without hearing all parties whose interests were directly affected, thereby violating the constitutional principle of fair hearing.

Justice Dashen ruled that the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which had sought to be joined as an interested party in the case, was a necessary party that should have participated in the proceedings before the court delivered its earlier decision.

He further observed that material facts were allegedly withheld in obtaining the December 2025 judgment, rendering the proceedings constitutionally defective.

Consequently, the court restored the status quo and ordered that the substantive suit be heard afresh, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Peace Movement Party (PMP) joined as parties to the case.

The ruling effectively suspends the legal foundation upon which INEC recognised the NDC, pending the determination of the fresh proceedings.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the Peace Movement Party, C.S. Ekeocha, welcomed the decision, arguing that his client had been wrongly excluded from the original suit despite claiming ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC.

Ekeocha said the latest ruling restored all parties to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and effectively reversed every action taken pursuant to the earlier decision, including the registration and recognition of the NDC.

The judgment is expected to have political implications for opposition realignment efforts ahead of the 2027 elections, as legal proceedings over the registration of the NDC continue.