Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it is yet to receive a copy of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order directing the electoral umpire to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the platform upon which Mr Peter Obi and Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso are running for President and Vice-President respectively in next year’s election.
The commission made this known on Saturday, 27 June, in a statement issued by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
NDC National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, had in a statement after the latest Federal High Court ruling, disclosed the leading opposition party’s intention to head for the Appeal Court, citing certain grounds against plaintiffs in the matter, Peace Movement Party (PMP).
Peering beyond the legal ecosystem, NDC pointed accusing fingers at those it stated were seeking “to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives” as being the hands behind the latest twist in the party’s trajectory towards 2027.
On Friday, Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, set aside a court order directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
He ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the 10 December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.
Reacting to the development, the electoral body said although it got wind of the decision through media reports, it cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the verdict.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgement delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court’s order,” the statement said.
INEC added that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action.
“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgement, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.
“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” Oketola further noted.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Prof. Amupitan.
