The party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, disclosed this in a statement reacting to the appellate court’s decision.
According to Dickson, the Court of Appeal overturned the judgment delivered by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
He said the appellate court ruled in favour of the NDC in its appeal challenging the Federal High Court judgment.
The statement read:
“Today, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, has set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lokoja, delivered by Justice Isah Dashen, which purported to order the deregistration of our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“In a judgment delivered by the presiding Justice, Mohammed Danjuma, and read by Justice Hassan, the Court ruled in favour of allowing our appeal, which challenged the faulty ruling of the Federal High Court, Lokoja, and accordingly, set aside Justice Dashen’s judgment.
“We want to use this opportunity once again to commend the Nigerian judiciary, and in particular, Hon. Justice Danjuma and Hon. Justice Hassan, for upholding the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and, by their decisions, expanding the sphere of multiparty democratic participation in Nigeria.
“We have said repeatedly that the NDC was set up to expand the frontier of multiparty democracy in Nigeria. Justice Dashen’s judgment was an unexpected assault on our constitutional right to participate and an attempt to narrow the democratic space.
“Happily, today, by the decision of the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian democratic space has been protected, and the NDC’s right to participate in all political activities as a registered political party has been upheld.
“I congratulate all members and candidates of our great party, the NDC, and thank Nigerians for their prayers and support.
“When the unexpected judgment of the Lokoja Federal High Court was delivered, we were bombarded with several calls for sympathy, support and prayers. Today, our collective prayers have been answered.
“The NDC continues to exist. Our registration remains valid and subsisting, and we and all our candidates will participate in all elections in 2027 and beyond, by the grace of God.”
Dickson urged members and candidates of the party to focus on preparations for the forthcoming elections.
He also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to influence the judiciary through “arm-twisting, inducing or intimidating” the courts, saying such actions would not deter the party.
“We remain confident in the strength of our message, the commitment of our members, the viability of our candidates, and the support of Nigerians,” he said.
Dickson added that the party looked forward to the forthcoming elections and expressed confidence that the NDC would emerge victorious at the polls.
“The fight for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy continues and, by the grace of God, we will emerge victorious,” he said.
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