NDP Applauds Court Order Directing INEC to Register Party

The National Democratic Party (NDP) has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register it as a political party.

The Abuja Division of the court ruled that INEC’s earlier refusal to register the party was null and void. In a judgment delivered on February 16, 2026, Justice M.G. Umar held that the promoters of the NDP, led by Hon. Ada Frederick Okwori and three others, had fulfilled all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2796/2025, sought declarations that the association complied with Sections 222–224 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, as well as INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

In granting the reliefs sought, the court declared that the plaintiffs met all legal conditions necessary to be registered as a political party and held that INEC was obligated to grant the registration.

Justice Umar also nullified INEC’s letter dated December 18, 2025 (Ref: INEC/DEPM/AFR/979/1/144), which had rejected the party’s application, describing it as having no legal effect.

As part of its consequential orders, the court directed INEC to immediately register the NDP. Alternatively, it ruled that by virtue of Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, the association should be deemed duly registered and accorded all rights and privileges of a political party, including the issuance of a certificate of registration and other relevant documents.

Reacting to the judgment, the party’s Interim National Chairman, Ada Frederick Okwori, described the ruling as a landmark decision and a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

Addressing journalists, Okwori said the court had affirmed that the NDP met all constitutional and statutory requirements and invalidated INEC’s earlier rejection of its application.

He added that the court mandated INEC to issue the party’s certificate of registration without delay and to grant it full political rights and privileges.

“This victory is not just for the NDP but for democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. It reinforces our commitment to ensuring that democratic principles are upheld and that the will of the people prevails,” he said.