By Ayomide Otitoju
The National Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ikenna Enekweizu, has alleged that political opponents are seeking to prevent the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from appearing on the ballot in the 2027 general elections because they fear his electoral strength.
Enekweizu made the assertion while reacting to Friday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
He maintained that the court did not order the deregistration of the NDC and insisted that the party would not be subjected to a fresh hearing over the matter.
According to him, the court’s latest decision does not invalidate the party’s existence but only revisits the process that led to the earlier judgment.
On Friday, Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja nullified the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment that had directed INEC to register the NDC, effectively setting aside all actions taken pursuant to that ruling.
The judge held that the earlier judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined as a party in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order.
The court ruled that the failure to include the PMP in the proceedings amounted to a denial of fair hearing, warranting the setting aside of the previous judgment.
