JUST-IN: Obi's Presidential Hope Threatened As Court Orders INEC To Deregister NDC

By RhemDy News 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been directed by a Federal High Court, sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and ex-Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are the NDC presidential candidate and his running mate of the party, respectively.

The Friday verdict of the court vacates an earlier judgment of the same court in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, which had compelled INEC to list the NDC as a political party in January. 

That order was the sole legal basis for the party’s registration.

The reversal of the January order follows a challenge by rival groups, notably the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) which maintained that the NDC had not met statutory conditions for registration.

The ADA argued that the NDC failed to complete INEC’s application portal and to submit key documents, including its manifesto.

The court now agreed that the order mandating INEC to register the NDC should no longer stand in view of this argument. 

With this new ruling, the NDC not a recognised political party and cannot sponsor candidates for any election until it secures fresh approval from INEC.

The political fate of both Obi and Kwankwaso remains uncertain with this ruling as political watchers await the next step to be taken to realise their presidential dream.