The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday, September 18, 2026, set aside a controversial Federal High Court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The verdict guarantees the party’s legal status and clears the way for its candidates to contest the 2027 general elections. ​Reacting to the judgment in an official press statement issued from Abuja on Friday afternoon, the National Leader of the NDC and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, praised the appellate panel for safeguarding Nigeria’s constitutional freedoms.
Dickson characterised the judgment as a critical protection of the country’s democratic space. ​The appellate ruling was delivered by a panel presided over by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, with the lead judgment read by Justice Hassan. ​
The Court of Appeal overturned the June 26, 2026 ruling by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State. Justice Dashen had previously granted an application brought by the Peace Movement Party (PMP) over alleged logo ownership, attempting to reverse an earlier December 10, 2025 judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC. ​
The appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction and committed an abuse of judicial process by attempting to sit on appeal over its own final judgment. ​In his official statement, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, NDC National Leader, noted: “Today, by the decision of the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian democratic space has been protected, and the NDC’s right to participate in all political activities as a registered political party has been upheld.
Justice Dashen’s judgment a few months ago was an unexpected assault on our constitutional right to participate and an attempt to narrow the democratic space. ​”The NDC continues to exist. Our registration remains valid and subsisting, and we and all our candidates will participate in all elections in 2027 and beyond, by the grace of God.
Everyone should now focus on the campaigns, prepare for the elections, and focus on the task ahead.” ​Further confirming the verdict on social media, Osa Director, National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, added;”Appeal Court upholds NDC’s registration, overrules Justice Dashen of Lokoja High Court.” ​
The ruling ends months of legal uncertainty surrounding the opposition party. With the judgment, the NDC leadership reaffirmed that all candidates, including its presidential flagbearer, remain fully cleared to participate in the upcoming 2027 campaign cycle.
