A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the National Democratic Party (NDP) as a political party, declaring that the association has fulfilled all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2796/2025, Justice M. G. Umar held that the plaintiffs, led by Hon. Ada Frederick Okwori and three others, met the provisions of Sections 222–224 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.
The court made a series of declarations affirming that the National Democratic Party (NDP), having complied with all legal requirements, is qualified to be registered as a political party.
Justice Umar further declared that INEC has a statutory duty to register the association accordingly.
In addition, the court set aside INEC’s letter dated December 18, 2025, with reference number INEC/DEPM/AFR/979/1/144, which had been addressed to the plaintiffs’ political association, describing it as null, void, and of no legal effect.
The court consequently issued an order compelling INEC to register the NDP forthwith.
As an alternative to the order compelling registration, the court also provided that the NDP be deemed duly registered by virtue of Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022.
It further ordered INEC to accord the association all rights and privileges of a registered political party and to issue it a certificate of registration along with other relevant documents.
The judgment, issued under the hand of Justice M. G. Umar and sealed by the court registrar, Daisy Esa, marks a significant development in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future electoral activities.
INEC is yet to publicly react to the ruling at the time of filing this report.
