The Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, insisting that the party remains legally registered and fully operational despite the judgment.

The party said it had instructed its legal team to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, maintaining that no order was made directing its deregistration.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Ondo State Chairman of the party, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the NDC expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling delivered by Justice Isah Dashen on an application filed by an unregistered association, the Peace Movement Party (PMP).

Peretei recalled that after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to register the NDC as a political party in December 2025, the party approached the Federal High Court, which upheld its constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register it.

According to him, INEC fully complied with the judgment, following which the party commenced operations in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC guidelines.

He stated that the NDC had since registered members across the country, conducted ward, local government and state congresses, held its national convention, conducted primary elections and participated in all INEC activities, including the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

The chairman added that the party had also nominated candidates for all elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Questioning the legal basis of the latest ruling, Peretei argued that the Peace Movement Party was neither a registered political party nor an association seeking registration under the ongoing exercise.

"The trial court had become functus officio after delivering its final judgment and had already determined issues relating to the party's name, symbol and colours. No appeal was filed against that judgment within the statutory period," he said.

While acknowledging that the court had reportedly set aside its earlier judgment, the party maintained that no order was made directing its deregistration.

"Our party has instructed its legal team to immediately approach the Court of Appeal to challenge both the jurisdiction of the trial court and the propriety of the ruling," Peretei said.

He assured candidates, members and supporters that, in line with the directive of the party's National Leader, Senator Henry Seriaki Dickson, the National Chairman and the National Working Committee, the party remained operational and that all nominations already made remained valid pending the determination of the appeal.

The NDC also condemned what it described as attempts to use judicial processes to shrink Nigeria's democratic space and frustrate legitimate political alternatives.

The party argued that any group dissatisfied with the original judgment ought to have filed an appeal within the prescribed period instead of seeking to overturn a final judgment through a motion.

Peretei reaffirmed the party's commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the advancement of credible political alternatives ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that justice would ultimately prevail.