The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which had nullified an earlier judgment recognising the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a registered political party.

National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, disclosed this in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday, saying the appellate court’s decision had upheld the party’s right to participate in Nigeria’s political process.

The development followed the June 26, 2026, judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, presided over by Justice Isah Dashen, which set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC. The Lokoja decision followed an application by the Peace Movement Party, which argued that its interests had been affected by the earlier proceedings.

Dickson said the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on Friday, allowed the NDC’s appeal and set aside the decision of the Lokoja court.

He identified the presiding justice as Justice Mohammed Danjuma, with Justice Hassan reading the judgment.

“We want to use this opportunity once again to commend the Nigerian judiciary, and in particular, Hon. Justice Danjuma and Hon. Justice Hassan, for upholding the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and, by their decisions, expanding the sphere of multiparty democratic participation in Nigeria,” Dickson said.

The former Bayelsa State governor described the earlier Federal High Court judgment as an assault on the party’s constitutional right to participate in politics and said the appellate court’s decision had restored what he described as the NDC’s right to participate in political activities as a registered party.

The Court of Appeal’s decision was also reported on Friday as reversing the June 26 judgment of Justice Dashen, which had set aside the Federal High Court’s December 10, 2025, judgment compelling INEC to recognise and register the NDC.

Dickson congratulated NDC members and candidates while thanking Nigerians for their prayers and support during the legal battle.

“When the unexpected judgment of the Lokoja Federal High Court was delivered, we were bombarded with several calls for sympathy, support and prayers. Today, our collective prayers have been answered,” he said.

He declared that the party’s registration remained valid and that the NDC and its candidates would participate in the 2027 elections.

“The NDC continues to exist. Our registration remains valid and subsisting, and we and all our candidates will participate in all elections in 2027 and beyond,” he stated.

Dickson subsequently urged party members to shift their attention to preparations for the 2027 elections.

He said the party would focus on its campaign and its contest with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The NDC leader also warned against attempts to influence the judiciary, saying the party remained confident in its political message, candidates and membership.

“A resort to arm-twisting, inducing or intimidating the judiciary will not work,” he said.

Dickson added that the party would continue its campaign for what he described as a broader multiparty democratic space in Nigeria. (Nigerian Tribune)