INEC Awaits Court Order As Obi, ADC Reject NDC Deregistration Ruling

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it is waiting for the Certified True Copy of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order on the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Daily Post reported that INEC made the disclosure in a statement issued on Saturday by Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC chairman. Punch also reported that the commission is waiting for the CTC before taking a formal position.

INEC said it was aware of media reports on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja on June 26, 2026.

The commission said it could not comment on the details of the ruling until it receives the certified copy and its legal department studies it.

Daily Post reported that Justice Isah Dashen had set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

The development has drawn reactions from opposition figures and parties.

Punch reported that Peter Obi and the Peoples Democratic Party rejected the deregistration ruling, while the NDC said it would appeal.

Vanguard reported that the African Democratic Congress condemned the court ruling and warned that the issue goes beyond the NDC.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the ruling raised concern about the democratic space before the next general election.

Vanguard quoted Abdullahi as saying, “Yesterday’s target was the NDC. Tomorrow, it could be anyone who dares to offer Nigerians an alternative.”

The ADC said opposition parties had faced legal and administrative distractions in recent months and urged the judiciary to remain independent and impartial.

This is a follow-up to the original court ruling story already covered by NaijaTrend. The new development is INEC’s next-step position and the opposition reaction cluster.

Sources: Daily Post, Punch RSS, Vanguard