The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress will file an appeal on Monday, June 29, 2026, against a court judgment that nullified its registration as a political party.
The National Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Ikenna Enekweizu, confirmed that the party would file its processes at the Court of Appeal on Monday following a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier directive for the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the political organisation.
Okay News reports that Ikenna Enekweizu stated that the party’s candidates will participate in future elections despite the judicial setback. He said, “This is the worst thing that can happen in judiciary. That ruling has no legal basis. There is no precedent in law that can justify it.”
The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, held emergency meetings over the weekend to finalise their legal approach. The National Legal Adviser of the party, Reuben Egwuaba, is expected to play a key role in the legal team.
Meanwhile, the National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, met with Seriake Dickson at his residence in Abuja on Sunday to discuss party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso noted on his verified Facebook page that no temporary setback could weaken the spirit of the movement.
The Federal High Court ruling, delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, set aside a December 10, 2025 judgment because a necessary party, the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the disputed party logo, had not been heard. The National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Moses Cleopas, stated that the party’s legal team is working with an assurance that the ruling is an abuse of the judicial system.
Senior advocates have noted that the party retains its constitutional right to appeal under Section 243 of the Constitution. Legal practitioner Adedayo Adedeji said the setting aside of the ruling does not automatically disenfranchise any candidate, while Itse Sagay expressed confidence that the appellate court would hear the matter speedily. Another senior advocate, Adelola Adedipe, noted that the ruling of June 26, 2026, restored the parties to their previous positions pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
