INEC Withholds Comment Pending Certified Copy
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will review the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which ordered the commission to withdraw the registration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. In a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, INEC said it is aware of media reports on the judgment delivered on June 26, 2026, but cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the certified true copy (CTC).
“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 said.
Legal Department to Study Judgment
INEC stated that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action. “Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, 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.
Court Sets Aside Previous Registration Order
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party. The court held that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were affected by the earlier judgment because it was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order. Justice Dashen consequently ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.
NDC Rejects Ruling, Plans Appeal
The National Democratic Congress has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. The party maintains that its registration was lawfully obtained and that the court's order to withdraw it is unjust. INEC has urged the public to await its formal position after a thorough legal review.
