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The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified efforts to overturn the recent Federal High Court ruling that nullified its registration, with the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, national leader, Seriake Dickson, and other top officials holding a series of emergency strategy meetings ahead of Monday's appeal.
The closed-door consultations followed Friday's judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside its earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
The ruling has sparked political controversy, with opposition figures describing it as an attempt to weaken the emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A senior party official disclosed that Obi, Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas, National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu and other National Working Committee members met over the weekend to finalise the party's legal strategy before approaching the Court of Appeal.
According to the source, another emergency meeting was convened on Sunday to review legal preparations, with the party's National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, expected to play a leading role in the appeal.
Although party leaders declined to reveal who would head the legal team, National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu confirmed that the appeal would be filed on Monday, expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn what he described as a legally flawed judgment.
He insisted that the ruling neither ended the party's existence nor prevented its candidates from contesting the 2027 elections, maintaining that all NDC candidates, including presidential candidate Peter Obi and other flag bearers, would appear on the ballot.
Enekweizu argued that the judgment lacked legal foundation and represented an attempt to shrink Nigeria's democratic space, stressing that the Court of Appeal remained available to correct what he called a miscarriage of justice.
Meanwhile, the National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, reaffirmed his support for the NDC after meeting the party's national leader, former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, in Abuja on Sunday.
Kwankwaso described the meeting as part of efforts to strengthen the party's unity and strategic readiness ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the legal setback would not derail the movement.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that no temporary judicial setback could weaken a political movement founded on justice, equity and democratic principles.
Dickson also appealed to party members and candidates not to be distracted by the court ruling, dismissing speculation that some aspirants were considering leaving the party.
Speaking during a television interview, the former Bayelsa governor assured supporters that the NDC remained firmly in the 2027 race and that its candidates would be uploaded to INEC's nomination portal within the stipulated timeframe.
He described the judgment as a distraction designed to shake the confidence of party members but insisted the party would pursue all available legal remedies instead of attacking the judiciary.
Dickson also ruled out any immediate move to petition the trial judge before the National Judicial Council, saying the appropriate response was to challenge the judgment through the appellate process.
The NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, maintained that the party had anticipated legal and political challenges, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal would reverse the ruling.
He alleged that the judgment was politically motivated but stressed that the party remained resolute and would continue mobilising supporters nationwide.
According to party sources, the NDC has also activated an extensive public engagement campaign involving civil society organisations, professional bodies and media groups to build support for its legal challenge and broader political agenda.
The party's appeal has equally received backing from the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and the Obidient Movement, both of which insisted that the judgment would not stop the opposition from participating in the 2027 elections.
The movements maintained that the appellate courts would overturn the decision, urging supporters to remain calm while the legal process runs its course.
The Ondo State chapter of the NDC also rejected the Lokoja ruling, arguing that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a judgment that had already become final after INEC complied with the order registering the party.
The state chapter maintained that the court merely reopened an issue that had been settled and instructed its legal team to challenge both the jurisdiction of the court and the substance of the ruling before the Court of Appeal.
Legal experts who commented on the matter acknowledged the party's constitutional right to appeal.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adedayo Adedeji, said the judgment did not automatically prevent the NDC or its candidates from participating in future elections, noting that the Court of Appeal had the authority to review the decision.
Another Senior Advocate, Itse Sagay, urged the party to pursue its appeal without delay, warning that the outcome could significantly shape its political future ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also weighing in, Senior Advocate Adelola Adedipe explained that the Lokoja ruling merely restored parties to their previous positions pending the hearing of the substantive suit and should not be interpreted as a final deregistration of the NDC.
He noted that while the party could seek interim relief through an appeal and an application for a stay of execution, the ultimate determination of its legal status would depend on the outcome of the substantive case before the courts.
