Ondo NDC rejects court verdict, says party remains legally registered

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has insisted that it remains a legally registered political party despite a recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja.

The state chairman of the party, Kennedy Peretei, made the position known in a statement issued on Sunday in Akure, maintaining that the court’s decision did not invalidate the party’s legal status.

Peretei faulted the ruling, arguing that the court ought not to have entertained the suit filed by the Peace Movement Party, which he claimed is neither a registered political party nor an association seeking registration.

He recalled that the NDC secured a Federal High Court judgment in December 2025 directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the party after the court upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association.

According to him, INEC complied with the judgment, following which the party conducted congresses, held its national convention, participated in electoral activities and nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections.

“The judgment being challenged did not order the deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Our legal team has been directed to approach the Court of Appeal to contest the ruling,” the statement read.

The party assured its members, supporters and candidates that all nominations already made remain valid pending the outcome of the appeal, expressing confidence that the appellate court would resolve the matter in its favour.

The NDC also condemned what it described as attempts to frustrate democratic participation through the courts, reaffirming its commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law and providing credible political alternatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.