A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on Friday set aside its earlier judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Isah Dashen ruled that the previous decision could not stand because all necessary parties were not heard before the court reached its conclusion.
The court held that the application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which sought to be joined as an interested party, had merit, having established that it was a necessary party in the matter.
Justice Dashen stated that the earlier proceedings were constitutionally defective, stressing that failure to hear all interested parties rendered the judgment a nullity.
The judge consequently ordered that the status quo be restored pending the determination of the substantive suit.
He further observed that material facts were suppressed in obtaining the 2025 judgment, making it necessary for the court to set aside its earlier decision.
Justice Dashen thereafter directed that the substantive suit commence afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) participating as parties in the case.
