Nigeria's Court of Appeal has restored the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, removing a major legal obstacle facing the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Abuja division of the appellate court ruled by a two to one majority on Friday to set aside a Federal High Court judgment that had reversed an earlier decision directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the NDC.

Justices Mohammed Danjuma and Muslim Sule Hassan formed the majority, while Justice Okon Abang delivered a dissenting judgment.

The ruling means INEC's recognition of the NDC remains valid, strengthening the party's legal position as it prepares to contest the 2027 elections with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate.

COURT OVERTURNS EARLIER DECISION

The dispute originated from a December 10, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

The Peace Movement Party later challenged that judgment, arguing that it had a legal interest in the proceedings and should have been joined before the original decision was made.

The PMP also raised a dispute concerning a logo associated with the NDC.

Justice Isah Dashen subsequently set aside the earlier judgment and ordered that the matter be heard again with the relevant parties included.

That decision created uncertainty surrounding the NDC's legal status as preparations for the 2027 elections accelerated.

The party appealed.

APPEAL COURT RULES TWO TO ONE

The Court of Appeal has now sided with the NDC.

In the majority decision, Justices Danjuma and Hassan held that the Federal High Court had improperly attempted to sit in review of its own previous final judgment.

The appellate court concluded that the lower court's action amounted to an abuse of judicial power and violated the established hierarchy governing the courts.

The majority also rejected the challenge concerning the NDC's logo.

Justice Abang disagreed with his colleagues and supported the Federal High Court's decision, producing the two to one split judgment.

The majority ruling nevertheless stands as the decision of the Court of Appeal.

DICKSON SAYS NDC REGISTRATION REMAINS VALID

NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson welcomed the ruling.

Dickson said the decision confirmed that the party's registration remains valid and that the NDC retains its right to participate in Nigeria's political process.

He also praised the judiciary following the decision and said the party would now concentrate on preparations for the 2027 elections.

The NDC had consistently maintained throughout the legal dispute that it remained a registered political party and that its candidates should be allowed to participate in the electoral process.

PETER OBI IS NDC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

The ruling has particular significance because Peter Obi has already emerged as the NDC's presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Obi was ratified as the party's candidate on May 29 after leaving the African Democratic Congress.

His name was subsequently uploaded to INEC's candidate nomination portal as the NDC continued preparations for the election despite the legal dispute surrounding its registration.

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has also been associated with the NDC ticket as Obi's running mate.

The Court of Appeal decision removes a significant legal challenge to the party's participation, although the wider electoral process remains ongoing.

NDC COULD AFFECT OPPOSITION LANDSCAPE

The NDC's emergence adds another dimension to Nigeria's opposition landscape ahead of 2027.

Obi contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and finished third according to INEC's official results.

His move to the NDC and emergence as its presidential candidate have therefore placed the relatively new party under national attention.

The party will compete in a political environment that includes President Bola Tinubu's ruling All Progressives Congress and other opposition parties seeking influence ahead of the election.

The Court of Appeal ruling determines the immediate legal dispute over the NDC's registration. It does not determine how the party or any of its candidates will perform in the 2027 elections.

LEGAL VICTORY CLEARS MAJOR HURDLE

For the NDC, the judgment resolves an immediate uncertainty that had threatened its preparations.

INEC had previously restored the party's access to its nomination portal while the appeal was pending, allowing it to begin uploading candidates.

With the Court of Appeal now setting aside the Federal High Court judgment, the party has secured an important legal victory in its effort to participate in the 2027 electoral process.

Attention will now turn to the NDC's campaign preparations, its candidates and any further legal developments arising from the registration dispute as Nigeria moves closer to the general elections.