A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to officially register the National Democratic Party as a political party, ruling that the association met all the legal conditions required under Nigerian law.
The judgment was delivered by Justice M. G. Umar on February 16, following a suit filed on December 29, 2025, by Hon. Ada Frederick Okwori and others against INEC.
According to the court, the plaintiffs complied with Sections 222 to 224 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and the commission’s 2022 regulations and guidelines for political parties.
The court declared that the NDP fulfilled all necessary requirements to qualify as a political party and noted that INEC is legally obligated to register it.
Justice Umar also invalidated INEC’s December 18, 2025, letter that had refused the registration, describing it as legally ineffective.
A mandatory order was issued compelling INEC to complete the registration process immediately. The order was signed in Abuja and sealed by the court registrar, Daisy Esa.
The NDP’s interim National Chairman, Ada Frederick, welcomed the ruling, saying it confirms the party’s compliance with legal requirements and strengthens participatory democracy.
She added that the court’s decision nullified INEC’s previous refusal and affirmed that the commission must now register the party without delay.
Frederick stated that the party will quickly build its structures across the country in line with the law and called on INEC to act on the court order promptly.
The judgment comes as political associations increase efforts to gain recognition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While several associations have applied to INEC for registration in recent months, only a few have successfully completed the process.
The commission has stressed that strict adherence to constitutional and electoral provisions is essential to ensure that only active and compliant parties are registered.
.png)
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!