The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the Federal High Court’s order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a setback for Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the judgment but condemned what it described as the implications of the court order.

“While we await the Certified True Copy of the judgment, we express our profound condemnation of the implications of the court order, which further constricts the democratic space in our country. This is particularly disturbing, coming after Nigerians had expended their resources to aspire to various elective offices under the platform of the NDC. This order is not only an asphyxiation of multiparty democracy in Nigeria but also an economic crime against Nigerians who invested in the party,” PDP said.

According to the PDP, the ruling further narrows Nigeria’s democratic space, particularly after many Nigerians had invested resources to contest elective offices on the platform of the NDC.

The party argued that the order weakens multiparty democracy and amounts to an economic loss for party members and supporters who committed resources to the NDC.

The PDP also alleged that the development aligns with what it described as the ruling APC-led Federal Government’s efforts to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It claimed the government was unwilling to allow the emergence and survival of a strong opposition capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The opposition party further accused the Federal Government of undermining fair political competition, saying recent developments reflect a disregard for democratic principles.

The PDP urged the NDC leadership to challenge the court order through legal means while seeking the support of Nigerians in what it described as the struggle to protect and strengthen democracy.

It also called on the Federal Government to take practical steps to reduce political tension in the country in the interest of peace, stability and democratic consolidation.

The media office of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the Lokoja High Court judgment regarding the party’s registration status as a temporary setback, saying the decision will be challenged legally.

This is contained in a statement by the Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR, signed by its spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr, on Friday.

POMR noted that it has been flooded with inquiries from journalists and concerned Nigerians following the decision.

The media office urged Obi’s followers, political partners, and the general public to stay calm while the legal team finishes reviewing the judgment and prepares to file an appeal.

It maintained that it fully expected to face systemic hurdles in the ongoing bid to challenge the political establishment, viewing the court’s decision as a brief obstacle rather than a permanent defeat for its political objectives.

“We have received the news of today’s bizarre ruling from the court in Lokoja regarding the legal status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

“While our legal teams are thoroughly reviewing the judgment to initiate immediate corrective and appellate measures, our Principal urges all our supporters, coalition partners, and patriots nationwide to remain absolutely calm and focused,” the statement said.

According to the group, the legal decision would not change the ultimate goal of establishing an alternative political platform for Nigerians.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has rejected Friday’s ruling of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside the earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register it as a political party.

The party on insisted it has not been deregistered.

In a statement issued after the ruling, the party said it was surprised by the court’s decision to set aside its December 2025 judgment following an application by the Peace Movement Party, PMP, an association it described as unregistered and unknown to the NDC.

The party maintained that after the December 2025 judgment, INEC registered the NDC, enabling it to commence political activities, register members, conduct ward, state and national congresses, hold conventions and conclude primaries for elective offices in line with the electoral timetable.

According to the NDC, it also fielded candidates in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, presidential and vice-presidential elections.

The party argued that the Federal High Court had become ‘functus officio’ after delivering its final judgment in the case against INEC and had already addressed issues relating to the party’s logo and colours.

It contended that the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the victory sign adopted by the NDC, was neither a registered political party nor participating in the current registration process.

The NDC further stated that the court’s latest ruling did not expressly order its deregistration, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise.

The party said it has instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, questioning both the jurisdiction of the court and the propriety of the decision.

“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course. The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” the statement read.

The party also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

DAILY POST reported that Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja on Friday set aside the court’s earlier judgment directing INEC to register the NDC.

The judge held that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC but was not joined as a party in the suit.

Counsel to the PMP, C.S. Ekeocha, said the ruling restored all parties to the position they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment and reversed all actions taken by INEC pursuant to that judgment, including the recognition and registration of the NDC, pending the final determination of the suit.