Reloaded News Desk

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court decision that had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party.

The appellate court’s decision followed an appeal by the NDC against the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The lower-court proceedings had followed an application by the Peace Movement Party, which argued that it had not been joined in the case before an earlier decision affecting the NDC’s registration was made.

The Federal High Court subsequently restored the status quo pending determination of the substantive matter, prompting the NDC to appeal.

The Court of Appeal has now set aside that decision.

NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson announced the development and said the party’s registration remains valid.

The ruling comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable placing the presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027.