We’ll Take ‘Lawful Decision’— INEC Speaks On Ruling On Deregistration Of NDC As Political Party

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will take a lawful decision whenever it receives the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling that directed deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

The electoral 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 the commission, although it is aware of widespread media reports concerning the judgement delivered on Friday by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, it cannot comment on the substance of the decision until its legal department has obtained and reviewed the certified copy.

“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, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court's order,” the statement partly read.

INEC said its legal department would carefully examine the judgement before determining the commission's next course of action.

“Once the Commission's legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgement, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court's directives.

“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission's formal position on the matter,” Oketola added.

The commission's reaction comes barely 24 hours after Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court set aside the court's earlier judgement of December 10, 2025, which had compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

The court held that the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed ownership of the "victory sign" logo relied upon by the NDC during its registration suit, was not joined as a party in the earlier proceedings despite its interest being directly affected.

Justice Dashen consequently nullified the earlier judgement and ordered that all parties return to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 decision.

The court also directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties properly joined.

Following the ruling, the NDC rejected the judgement, 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, had maintained that the judgement did not amount to the deregistration of the NDC.

Cleopas argued that the trial court had become functus officio after delivering its judgement in December 2025 and therefore lacked the legal authority to reopen the matter.

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