The legal battle surrounding the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the political platform associated with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi's reported 2027 presidential ambition, has taken a dramatic turn following a Federal High Court ruling that reopened the case over the party's registration.
The court recently set aside its earlier judgment that had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC, ruling that parties whose legal interests could be affected by the decision were not heard before the original judgment was delivered. The judge ordered that the matter be heard afresh.
The decision has sparked conflicting interpretations, with lawyers representing the group challenging the registration arguing that the ruling effectively nullifies the party's registration certificate and every action that followed it, including its participation in preparations for the 2027 elections.
However, Senator Victor Umeh, a senior figure in the NDC and close political ally of Peter Obi, strongly rejected that interpretation during a television interview.
According to Umeh, the same judge who initially ordered INEC to register the NDC had already considered and dismissed objections relating to the party's logo during the original proceedings.
He explained that INEC had initially objected on the grounds that the NDC logo resembled that of the All Progressives Congress (APC). When that argument failed, INEC reportedly raised another objection claiming similarity with the logo of an association identified as the Peace Movement Party (PMP).
Umeh argued that the judge had expressly ruled in the earlier judgment that PMP was not a registered political party and therefore could not be used as a basis to deny the NDC registration.
He maintained that once the court reached that finding on the merits, it lacked jurisdiction to revisit the same issue.
The senator emphasized that following the December 2025 judgment, INEC complied fully with the court's directive by registering the NDC and issuing it a certificate of registration.
According to him, the party has since:
Conducted nationwide digital membership registration.
Held congresses and conventions.
Elected party officials.
Conducted primary elections.
Produced candidates across Nigeria's 36 states and the FCT in preparation for the 2027 elections.
Umeh argued that reversing the earlier judgment months after these processes had been completed creates uncertainty and undermines the electoral process.
He described the latest ruling as one that ignored the practical consequences of actions already taken under the authority of the court's original judgment.
The senator disclosed that the party has already approached the Court of Appeal, insisting that the trial judge became functus officio meaning he had exhausted his jurisdiction over the matter once he delivered the original judgment.
According to Umeh, the only circumstances under which such a judgment could ordinarily be revisited would involve issues such as fraud, deception, or lack of jurisdiction, none of which, he argued, were present in the NDC's case.
He described the latest ruling as a "miscarriage of justice."
A major point of disagreement remains whether the Peace Movement Party (PMP) possessed sufficient legal interest to be heard before the original judgment.
Umeh insisted that PMP is neither a registered political party nor one of the political associations seeking registration during the relevant period.
He claimed the association's name did not appear among the political groups that formally applied to INEC for registration, arguing that it therefore lacked the legal status required to challenge the NDC's registration.
According to him, an entity without legal recognition cannot claim its rights were violated in a matter concerning the registration of another political party.
Lawyers representing the group challenging the NDC maintain a different position, arguing that once the earlier judgment was set aside, every legal consequence flowing from that judgment including the party's certificate of registration should automatically cease to have effect until the substantive matter is finally determined.
The NDC rejects that interpretation, maintaining that it remains a legally recognized political party pending the outcome of its appeal.
The case has emerged as one of the most closely watched pre-election legal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
If the appellate courts uphold the latest ruling, it could significantly affect the NDC's participation in the electoral process. Conversely, a successful appeal could restore certainty over the party's legal status and preserve its preparations for the polls.
With appeals now underway, the courts are expected to determine whether the trial judge properly exercised his powers in reopening a matter that had already resulted in INEC registering a political party that has since commenced nationwide political activities.
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