The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected a Federal High Court ruling that set aside its December 2025 registration judgment, insisting the party remains legally recognised and has not been deregistered.

In a statement on Friday, the party said the ruling followed an application filed by the unregistered Peace Movement Party (PMP), which claimed rights to the NDC’s victory symbol. The NDC argued that the court had already delivered a final judgment compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party and had become functus officio, making the latest order improper.

The party maintained that it has since been fully participating in Nigeria’s political process, including registering members, conducting congresses and conventions, holding primary elections, fielding candidates in recent bye-elections, and preparing to submit candidates for the 2027 general elections in line with INEC’s timetable.

The NDC said the court did not order its deregistration but only set aside its earlier judgment. It announced that its legal team has been instructed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that the ruling would be overturned.

The party also accused unnamed interests of attempting to use the judiciary to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space and stifle opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that all its candidates and nominations remain valid pending the outcome of the appeal.