A Federal High Court in Lokoja has overturned its own earlier judgment that directed INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party, after a rival party claimed the NDC had used its logo without authorisation.
In Nigerian politics, even your party logo can get you into serious trouble.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has pulled the rug from under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), setting aside a December 2025 judgment that had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party. The dramatic reversal came after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) stormed into court with a very specific — and legally explosive — complaint: the NDC had built its registration case on a logo that belonged to them.
According to Daily Post,Justice Isah Dashen agreed the earlier ruling had trampled on the PMP’s rights, given the party was never invited to the original proceedings despite having a direct stake in the outcome.
The implications, according to PMP lawyer C.S. Ekeocha, are sweeping.
“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” Ekeocha said.
Translation: everything INEC did off the back of that earlier judgment is now null and void.
“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” the lawyer stated bluntly.
But don’t mistake this for the final whistle. Ekeocha was clear that the fight is far from over.
“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached,” he said.
The dispute now heads back to the Federal High Court for a full rehearing — this time with all relevant parties at the table. For the NDC, the road to official recognition just got significantly longer and considerably bumpier.
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