Turaki-led PDP faction faults court ruling on NDC registration

The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has criticised the Federal High Court ruling that set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment but expressed concern that the ruling could further narrow Nigeria’s democratic space.

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, vacated its earlier judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen held that the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo relied upon in obtaining the earlier judgment, was a necessary party to the suit and ought to have been heard before the court reached its decision.

The court consequently set aside the earlier judgment and ordered that all necessary parties be joined before the substantive suit proceeds.

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Reacting, the PDP faction urged the Federal Government to take steps to ease political tensions in the interest of democratic stability.

The statement read, “We have read media reports of the order of the Federal High Court, sitting in Lokoja, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the National Democratic Party.

“While we await the Certified True Copy of the judgment, we express our profound condemnation of the implications of the court order, which further constricts the democratic space in our country. This is particularly disturbing, coming after Nigerians had expended their resources to aspire to various elective offices under the platform of the NDC. This order is not only an asphyxiation of multiparty democracy in Nigeria but also an economic crime against Nigerians who invested in the party.

“This situation, though activated through the court, fits neatly into the playbook of the APC-led Federal Government, which appears unwilling to allow the survival of a genuine opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, in order to pave the way for the President’s unchallenged re-election. The absurdities that have occurred under the APC Federal Government clearly demonstrate its disdain for fair political competition, which is most unfortunate.

“The leadership of the genuine Peoples Democratic Party urges the leadership of the NDC to vigorously challenge this order within the ambit of the law while seeking the support of the Nigerian people in the struggle for democratic consolidation.”