Court Delivers Fresh Blow to NDC, Peter Obi Responds
Peter Obi has described the court decision overturning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as another worrying development for the country’s democracy.
A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday vacated its earlier judgement that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
The court’s decision came after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) challenged the earlier ruling, arguing that it was not made a party to the case despite having an interest in the matter.
Justice Isah Dashen agreed with the submission, ruling that the failure to hear all relevant parties rendered the earlier judgement invalid.
Reacting to the verdict in a Facebook post, Obi said he learned of the ruling while attending an event at Madonna University, where his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, informed him of the development.
The former Anambra State governor said the judgement was a painful reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He warned that public confidence would continue to decline if the country’s institutions were not allowed to operate independently.
Obi also alleged that the legislature and judiciary were increasingly coming under the influence of the executive arm of government, insisting that democracy can only survive when institutions remain impartial and accountable.
He noted that he had taken the same position when a previous court ruling ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, stressing that his views had always been based on defending democratic principles rather than political convenience.
Calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant, Obi urged citizens to put national interest above partisan politics and work together to protect the rule of law, justice and the country’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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