The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has wrapped up marathon strategy meetings involving its presidential candidate, Peter Obi; national leader, Seriake Dickson; National Working Committee members and other key stakeholders ahead of Monday’s (today) appeal against the court ruling that nullified its registration.
The development comes barely 48 hours after the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the NDC.
The ruling has intensified political tensions and drawn condemnation from opposition leaders who insist the decision is aimed at weakening opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general election.
A senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, disclosed that the party leadership had been holding back-to-back emergency meetings to finalise its legal strategy before approaching the Court of Appeal on Monday.
According to him, Obi, Dickson, the party’s national chairman, national secretary and other members of the party’s leadership attended Saturday’s closed-door meeting, while another emergency session was held on Sunday to fine-tune preparations for the appeal.
“Yes, a number of closed-door meetings have taken place since the Kogi High Court judgment went viral. For instance, Obi, Senator Dickson, the party chairman, the secretary and other executives were in yesterday’s meeting.
“Even as we speak, there is another emergency meeting ongoing ahead of tomorrow’s appeal.
“However, we are not privy yet to who will lead the legal team. What I only know is that the NDC National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, will play a key role in it,” the source said.
The National Secretary of the party, Ikenna Enekweizu, who spoke to our correspondent on the sidelines of a recent press briefing, confirmed that the appeal would be filed on Monday.
Enekweizu, however, declined to disclose the identity of the counsel that would lead the legal battle.
He said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate at this time for us to announce who our legal team leader will be. By the time we file our processes on Monday, you will know those who are in the team and who the leader is. I don’t know if that answers your question.”
The lawyer described the Lokoja judgment as unprecedented and lacking any legal foundation, insisting that the party remained convinced it would secure victory on appeal.
“This is the worst thing that can happen in judiciary. That ruling has no legal basis. There is no precedent in law that can justify it.
“So, obviously, we see it as part of the attempts by the powers that be to further shrink the democratic process in Nigeria.
“I’m sure we are aware that recently, some parties, by virtue of a judicial ruling, were ordered to be deregistered.
“What they were attempting to do was to ensure that we do not take part in the democratic process that is still ongoing. But I can assure you that it will not happen. Our candidates will definitely participate in the forthcoming elections.
“Of course, we have a strong conviction that the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man in Nigeria. The court that delivered the ruling is not the highest court and it’s not the last court in the land. We’ll see our appeal process through to its ultimate end.
“I can assure you that all our candidates, from presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, his running mate and all our candidates up to the House of Assembly level, will all be on the ballot,” he stated.
Kwankwaso meets Dickson
The National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared that no temporary setback would weaken the Nigeria Democratic Congress as the party grapples with the recent court ruling setting aside its recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Kwankwaso stated this after paying a courtesy visit to the National Leader of the NDC, former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, in Abuja on Sunday.
The former Kano State governor disclosed the visit in a post on his verified Facebook page, saying the meeting formed part of efforts to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Today, I paid a courtesy visit to the National Leader of our party, the NDC, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, at his residence in Abuja,” Kwankwaso wrote.
“The engagement forms part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s unity, resilience and strategic readiness as we prepare for the 2027 general elections.”
He expressed confidence that the party would overcome its current legal challenges, insisting that its members remained committed to democratic principles and the rule of law.
“As true democrats, we remain committed to the rule of law and have absolute confidence in the judicial process,” he said.
“No temporary setback can weaken the spirit of a movement built on hope, justice, equity and the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
Kwankwaso also appealed to members and supporters of the party not to be discouraged by the recent developments.
“I urge all party members, supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to stay calm, resolute and focused on our shared mission. Together, we will rise above every challenge,” he added.
“Nigeria will be OK.”
The meeting came barely two days after the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the NDC as a political party and ordered a fresh hearing of the substantive suit.
The court held that the earlier judgment was delivered without hearing all the parties whose interests were affected, particularly the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the disputed party logo.
The ruling effectively restored all the parties to the positions they occupied before the December 10, 2025 judgment that recognised the NDC, although INEC has said it is awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before taking any further action.
The NDC has recently emerged as a major opposition platform following the defection of several prominent politicians, including Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, said the party had anticipated legal and political challenges and insisted it remained confident that the appellate court would overturn the ruling.
He said, “As the main opposition party today, we have always anticipated what they could throw at us. We are not fools not to have been thinking in that direction.
“But obviously, as it has been exposed, within the ambit of the law, because I am not a lawyer, apparently, by what they have done, they could barely find anything legitimate to throw at us.
“And just because some people just have to get paid and show that they are working, that is why they did what they have done.
“From the time that breaking news came, our legal team is working with an assurance that this is an abuse to the judicial system of this country.
“We are pleading that the judicial players should not drive this country into the mud. We still believe that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“This is just an attempt to see whether we will shake. There is no shaking because we are stronger.”
Another senior party official, who preferred not to be mentioned, disclosed that beyond the legal challenge, the NDC had activated an extensive public engagement strategy involving civil society organisations, professional bodies and media organisations to rally support for its position.
“Presently, the party has activated and structured a move to start engaging civil societies and media engagements as part of its defence and future campaigns.
“In the days to come, there will be series of press conferences and parley with CSOs and pressure groups,” the source said.
Dickson rallies members
Meanwhile, Dickson appealed to the party’s candidates, including its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, and other aspirants, not to abandon the party following the recent Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja.
Dickson made the appeal on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today while reacting to reports that some candidates were considering leaving the party over the ruling.
Reacting to concerns that some candidates had become unsettled by the judgment, Dickson dismissed the speculation and assured members that the party was on course.
He said, “That is what this kind of kangaroo situation is intended to achieve. But I’m here to assure all members. That’s not the report we have. Our candidates are steadfast and they have already emerged as candidates of our party.
“They know the steps that the party is taking. And in no distant time, they will be uploaded (on INEC portal). They will go into the polls and be on the ballot. So, there is nothing to fear. There’s no fear.
“Let me say this kind of move is intended to be a distraction. It’s intended to shake our faith. But for some of us who are used to this kind of thing, in fact, we even expect more because if you have to be in this kitchen for some time, you must have a way to manage the heat.
“So, I assure all our candidates and our members that the NDC is on the ballot. All our candidates will be on the ballot. The NDC has not been deregistered and won’t be deregistered. The laws of this country will speak and justice will run its course. So, I have nothing to worry about.”
On whether the party planned to report Justice Dashen to the National Judicial Council, Dickson said the NDC would instead pursue legal remedies through the appellate courts.
He said, “No, that’s not our focus. The judge has erred. We are not happy about it. But we have confidence in the Nigerian judicial system. As a person, I’ve always been a promoter and supporter of the judiciary, individual justices and judges.
“So, I’m not casting any personal aspersions on the judge. But I believe that they are doing a very critical job. And it’s our duty, all of us as leaders, to encourage and support them.
“Even when they err and make decisions that we disagree with, we have an opportunity to vent around and get other appellate courts to do what should be done. That’s what hierarchy of courts is all about. But this is a terrible hangman job.”
The NDC, which is due to file an appeal against the Lokoja judgment on Monday, insists the ruling neither deregistered the party nor stopped it from participating in the 2027 general election.
The PUNCH