BREAKING: Peter Obi out of 2027 race as Court Cancels NDC Registration

The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

The latest ruling effectively reverses the legal basis upon which the NDC had been listed by INEC, throwing the party’s status into uncertainty and preventing it from operating as a recognised political party for now.

Ejes Gist News reports that this development means Peter Obi, the NDC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, is currently unable to contest the election as the party is no longer recognised by INEC.

Earlier this year, the NDC secured a court judgment directing INEC to register it, a development that sparked controversy among other political associations. The party’s inclusion on the electoral commission’s list was based solely on that court order.

Why the Court Reversed Its Earlier Judgment

However, the registration was challenged by rival political groups, particularly the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which argued that the NDC failed to comply with statutory requirements for political party registration.

The challengers alleged that the party did not properly complete the application process through INEC’s designated portal and failed to submit essential documents, including its manifesto and other required materials.

Following the fresh legal challenge, the Federal High Court in Lokoja revisited the matter and vacated its previous judgment, agreeing that the earlier order compelling INEC to register the NDC should no longer stand.

Explainer: What This Means for Peter Obi and the NDC

Explaining the significance of the ruling, the court’s decision means that the NDC is currently not an officially registered political party.

As a result, the party cannot sponsor or field candidates in any election until it obtains formal recognition from INEC.

This effectively means Peter Obi, the NDC’s presidential candidate, cannot contest the 2027 presidential election unless the party successfully overturns the ruling or completes the registration process afresh.

The judgment also effectively returns the party to the starting point of the registration process. To regain recognition, the NDC will either have to meet all of INEC’s registration requirements and apply afresh or challenge the latest judgment at the Court of Appeal.

What This Means for INEC

For INEC, the ruling means the electoral commission is no longer under any legal obligation to register the NDC.

The court agreed with the commission’s position that there were legal issues surrounding the earlier order that compelled the registration, which may have involved procedural errors, timing, or failure to satisfy statutory conditions.

In practical terms, the court’s decision keeps the NDC off the list of officially recognised political parties unless it successfully overturns the ruling on appeal or completes the registration process in accordance with INEC’s guidelines.

What Happens Next for the NDC?

The latest judgment marks a significant twist in the legal battle over the party’s registration and could have implications for its political ambitions ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general elections.

The NDC now faces two options:

– Appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal
– Reapply for registration through INEC’s official process

If the party fails to overturn the ruling or complete the registration process, it will be unable to field candidates in upcoming elections, including its presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Reactions to the Judgment

The ruling has sparked mixed reactions from political observers and supporters of the NDC.

Supporters of the party have expressed disappointment, describing the judgment as a setback for Nigeria’s democratic space.

Critics, however, have welcomed the decision, arguing that all political parties must comply with INEC’s registration requirements.

As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the NDC had issued an official statement

Ejes Gist News Verdict

The Federal High Court’s decision to cancel the NDC’s registration marks a major development in Nigeria’s political landscape.

The party, which had hoped to field Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2027 elections, now faces an uncertain future.

The question remains: Will the NDC successfully appeal the ruling, or will it be forced to start the registration process from scratch?

What do you think? Should the NDC be allowed to register despite the court’s ruling? Drop your opinion in the comments below. Let’s gist!

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