Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the National Democratic Party as a political party.
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2796/2025, filed by Hon. Ada Frederick Okwori, the National Chairman of the NDP, and three others, the court held that the plaintiffs had met all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration under Sections 222–224 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
Delivering judgment on February 16, 2026, Justice Umar declared that the plaintiffs’ political association, National Democratic Party (NDP), had fulfilled all legal conditions necessary for registration.
The court further held that, having satisfied the legal requirements, the electoral body has a duty to register the NDP as a political party.
“A Declaration is hereby made that the Plaintiffs have met all the requirements of Sections 222 – 224 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and the Defendant’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.
“A Declaration is hereby made that the Plaintiffs’ political association, National Democratic Party (NDP), having fulfilled all legal requirements, is qualified to be registered as a political party,” a Certified True Copy of the judgment made available to our correspondent read.
Justice Umar also set aside INEC’s letter dated December 18, 2025 (Ref. No. INEC/DEPM/AFR/979/1/144), which had apparently declined or failed to grant the registration request, declaring it null, void and of no legal effect. In a consequential order, the court compelled INEC to register the NDP forthwith.
“An Order is hereby made compelling the Defendant to register the Plaintiffs’ Political Association, National Democratic Party (NDP), as a political party forthwith,” the judgment read, ordering the electoral body to accord the association “full political rights and privileges of a registered political party” and to issue it “a certificate of registration and any other documents issued to registered political parties.”
Alternatively, the court ruled that if registration was not affected, the NDP would be deemed duly registered by operation of Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022.
