The spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has reacted to the Federal High Court in Lokoja’s decision to set aside its earlier judgment recognising the National Democratic Coalition (NDC).

In a post on X, Abdullahi described the ruling as another sign that opposition parties are under pressure from the ruling party.

He said, “The Lokoja Federal High Court’s decision to set aside its initial judgment that recognised the NDC is another reminder that no opposition party is immune when there is a concerted attempt to shrink the democratic space by the ruling party.”

According to him, efforts to deregister political parties close to an election are a threat to democracy.

“What we are witnessing is certainly unprecedented. Attempts to deregister political parties on the eve of an election is certainly the move of a dictatorship,” he said.

Abdullahi urged opposition parties to work together to defend democracy and Nigerians’ right to choose their leaders.

“This is precisely why the opposition must stand together. Divided, we are easy targets. But united, we can confront the growing monster of dictatorship and defend the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders. Democracy survives only when the opposition survives,” he said.

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.”