Nigeria Democratic Congress Officially Deregistered After Court Ruling

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been deregistered by a Federal High Court in Lokoja, following a court ruling. The ruling, delivered by Presiding Judge Hon. Justice Isa H. Dashen, sets aside a previous judgment that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party. According to the court, the deregistration is due to a dispute over the party's logo ownership.

A motion on notice was filed by the Protem National Legal Adviser of the Peace Movement Party, Barrister Emmanuel Uzowuru. He argued that his party's logo was used by the NDC without permission.

The controversy surrounding the NDC's registration began in December 2025 when a Federal High Court in Lokoja ordered INEC to register the party. However, the Peace Movement Party challenged this decision, claiming that the party's logo was theirs. The challenge was successful, with the court ordering INEC not to recognize the NDC as a political party pending the resolution of the dispute.

On Tuesday, June 25, 2026, Justice Isa H. Dashen delivered a ruling that effectively deregistered the NDC. The decision was based on the motion on notice filed by Barrister Emmanuel Uzowuru, who argued that his party's logo was used without permission. The court ruled that the deregistration takes immediate effect, and INEC is expected to remove the NDC from its roster of recognized political parties.

The deregistration of the NDC means that the party will no longer be recognized as a political party by INEC. This decision has significant implications for the future of the party, which was formed in 2020 with the aim of competing in the 2023 general elections.

According to the court ruling, the deregistration is due to a dispute over the party's logo ownership. A motion on notice was filed by the Protem National Legal Adviser of the Peace Movement Party, Barrister Emmanuel Uzowuru. He argued that his party's logo was used by the NDC without permission.

The controversy surrounding the deregistration of the NDC has sparked debates about the role of INEC in party registration. While some have argued that the deregistration is a necessary step to ensure that only eligible parties are recognized, others have criticized the process as flawed. The deregistration of the NDC has significant implications for the future of party formation and registration in Nigeria.

According to the court ruling, the deregistration of the NDC is effective immediately. INEC is expected to remove the NDC from its roster of recognized political parties. The deregistration of the NDC has sparked debates about the role of INEC in party registration.

The deregistration of the NDC has significant implications for the future of party formation and registration in Nigeria. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the deregistration as a necessary step to ensure that only eligible parties are recognized.

The deregistration of the NDC is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications for the future of party formation and registration in Nigeria. The deregistration of the NDC has sparked debates about the role of INEC in party registration.