The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is preparing to challenge a recent court ruling affecting its registration, with its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leading efforts to keep the party on course for the 2027 general election.
According to Punch, the party held a series of emergency strategy meetings involving Obi, national leader Seriake Dickson, National Working Committee members and other key stakeholders ahead of filing an appeal at the Court of Appeal on Monday.
The legal move follows a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that set aside an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC. The court ordered a fresh hearing after finding that all interested parties, including the Peace Movement Party, had not been heard.
A senior NDC official told Punch that party leaders met over the weekend to finalise their legal strategy, adding that National Legal Adviser Reuben Egwuaba would play a central role in the appeal.
National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu confirmed that the appeal would be filed on Monday but declined to reveal the senior lawyer who would head the legal team. He described the Lokoja ruling as unprecedented and maintained that the party remained confident of success at the appellate court.
Enekweizu argued that the judgment neither ended the party’s existence nor prevented its candidates from contesting future elections, insisting the NDC would pursue every available legal option.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso met with former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson in Abuja, describing the visit as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Kwankwaso urged party members to remain calm, saying no temporary setback could weaken a movement founded on “hope, justice, equity and the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
Dickson also appealed to party members and candidates not to lose confidence, dismissing speculation that the court ruling would force defections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he insisted the NDC had not been deregistered and expressed confidence that all its candidates, including Obi and Kwankwaso, would eventually appear on the ballot.
The NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, echoed the position, saying the party had anticipated legal and political challenges and believed the appellate court would overturn the ruling. He also disclosed plans for increased engagement with civil society organisations and the media.
Legal experts who spoke to Punch offered differing perspectives on the implications of the ruling.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adedayo Adedeji said the judgment did not automatically disqualify the party or its candidates from participating in elections, noting that the Constitution guarantees the right of appeal.
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Itse Sagay, said the Court of Appeal was likely to hear the matter quickly because of its political importance. However, he warned that if the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision, the party could be prevented from participating in the 2027 elections.
Senior Advocate Adelola Adedipe argued that the latest ruling merely restored the legal position before the earlier registration order and should not be interpreted as a final deregistration. He said the substantive case remains before the court and advised the party to pursue the matter on its merits.
