Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 elections, Peter Obi, has dismissed the Federal High Court ruling affecting the party’s recognition, describing it as a temporary setback rather than the end of its political journey.
Obi’s reaction followed Friday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise the NDC as a political party until all legal disputes surrounding its registration are resolved.
In a statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri, the former Anambra State governor urged his supporters and coalition partners to remain calm, assuring them that legal steps were already underway to challenge the ruling.
According to the statement, the media office had been inundated with calls from journalists and concerned Nigerians seeking clarification on what it described as a “strange” court decision.
“We have received the news of today’s bizarre ruling from the court in Lokoja regarding the legal status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Our legal teams are thoroughly reviewing the judgment to initiate immediate corrective and appellate measures,” the statement said.
Obi noted that the struggle to change Nigeria’s political landscape was always expected to encounter resistance and legal obstacles.
“We always knew that the journey to dismantle a deeply entrenched and grossly underperforming political status quo would be met with fierce institutional resistance and unexpected legal detours,” he stated.
Describing the court decision as a temporary challenge, Obi declared:
“Today’s ruling is a hurdle, not a stop sign. Our commitment to providing a transparent, legitimate and formidable alternative for Nigerians remains unshakeable.”
He added that while the movement might experience temporary setbacks, its ultimate goal remained unchanged.
“The vehicle may face a temporary breakdown, but our destination remains non-negotiable,” the statement added.
The development comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the NDC insisting it will pursue all legal avenues to protect its status and continue its political engagements across the country.
