The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused unnamed political actors of attempting to suppress opposition following a court ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party amid a dispute over its logo.

On Friday, the Kogi Division of the Federal High Court set aside its earlier judgment ordering INEC to register the NDC, declaring it constitutionally defective because the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which it held was a necessary party to the suit, was not heard before the ruling.

Presiding Judge Isah Dashen held that the omission rendered the entire proceedings null and void, as PMP argued that it had already applied for registration with the same logo.

“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives,” the NDC said in a statement by its national chairman, Moses Zuwoghe. “It is too late for anyone to attempt to use the judiciary to derail or narrow Nigeria’s multi-party democratic space.”

Mr Zuwoghe said the party had been participating in political activities, including fielding candidates for all electoral positions, holding congresses, and conducting member registration, after the federal high court ordered its registration in December.

He noted that the PMP is “unknown” to his party and is “not registered,” even though it claimed to have sought registration in 2015, using the “victory” sign as its logo, and was denied.

“It is important to note that they are not an association applying for registration now under the exercise that started last year,” the NDC chairman said. “They are also not a registered political party in Nigeria participating in the political process now, as we are.”

Mr Zuwoghe argued that the latest ruling was “functus officio” since the court had earlier delivered a final judgment in its suit against INEC regarding the party’s registration.

The party chairman said it was surprising that the judge ruled the PMP—which is neither a registered political party nor currently seeking registration—had the legal standing to file the application and that the court had jurisdiction to hear it.

He added that although the court did not explicitly order INEC to deregister the NDC, the party would challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Mr Zuwoghe argued that the PMP should have appealed the earlier judgement if it was dissatisfied, insisting, “Even at that, the window open for such an appeal has since closed, and any such appeal by now has become statute-barred.”

He added, “To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process.”

Hours after the ruling, the NDC’s 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accused President Bola Tinubu of plotting to block him from contesting the election.

The judgement comes days after the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other parties for failing to meet the constitutional requirements for political parties in the country.