By Henry Umoru

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 polls, Peter Obi, has described Friday’s judgment of a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to recognise the NDC as a political party pending when all legal issues surrounding it are resolved as a hurdle and not a stop sign.

The former Anambra State governor has urged his supporters to remain calm as their legal teams are currently reviewing the judgment of the Federal High Court.

This was contained in a statement issued by Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), through its spokesman, Idris Zekeri, who confirmed that their team has been bombarded with calls from the newsrooms and other concerned persons on the purported ‘strange court ruling’.

The statement read, “Peter Obi Media Reach. POMR has been bombarded with calls from the newsrooms and other concerned persons on the strange court ruling from a High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State. Below are our initial responses to inquiries pending legal views on it.

​”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.

​”We always knew that the journey to dismantle a deeply entrenched and grossly underperforming political status quo would be met with fierce institutional resistance and unexpected legal detours.

“Today’s ruling is a hurdle, not a stop sign. Our commitment to providing a transparent, legitimate, and formidable alternative for Nigerians remains unshakeable. The platform we are building is robust, and our legal rights will be vigorously pursued. Do not be discouraged; the vehicle may face a temporary breakdown, but our destination remains non-negotiable.”

Former presidential media aide and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bashir Ahmad, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, should be worried about the move to de-register the party.

DAILY POST reports that the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which asked that the December 2025 judgment be set aside because it was not joined in the suit.

In his judgment, Justice Isah Dashen declared that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.

Reacting, Bashir, in a post on his official X handle, said Obi and Kwankwaso should be worried, stating that the two politicians currently have no legally recognised platform on which to contest the next election.

He wrote, “Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi have every reason to be worried.

“As things stand today, they have no legally recognised platform on which to pursue their political ambitions, as the NDC is not recognised by law.”

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.