Olusegun ARIYO

The Obidient Movement has condemned the court decision, vowing to resist what it described as attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

The Media and Communication Directorate of the movement said it had taken note of the contradictory judicial pronouncements concerning the NDC.

In a statement, the group argued that the latest development reinforced public concerns that the judiciary was increasingly being deployed as an instrument of partisan politics rather than an impartial arbiter.https://urbanexpresslive.com/world-cup-why-gary-neville-names-two-england-stars-thomas-tuchel-should-drop/

“These developments only reinforce the growing public concern that the judiciary is being deployed as an instrument of partisan politics rather than an impartial guardian of justice.

“Having acted on a valid and subsisting court order to its detriment by incurring substantial expenditure in preparation for elections, the NDC acquired legitimate legal expectations that cannot be arbitrarily defeated by the very court whose judgment it obeyed,” it stated.https://urbanexpresslive.com/how-lassa-fever-killed-doctor-prompted-an-emergency-response-in-benue/

Reacting to the development, the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alleged that forces within the Federal Government were working to prevent him from appearing on the ballot in 2027.

Obi, who spoke at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, also challenged President Bola Tinubu and other presidential hopefuls to a public debate, insisting he remained the most qualified among them.

The NDC leadership has swiftly rejected the judgment, insisting it has not been deregistered.

In a statement issued after the ruling, the party said it was surprised by the court’s decision to set aside its December 2025 judgment following an application by the PMP, an association it described as unregistered and unknown.

The party maintained that after the December 2025 judgment, INEC registered the NDC, enabling it to commence political activities, register members, conduct ward, state and national congresses, hold conventions and conclude primaries for elective offices in line with the electoral timetable.

The NDC argued that the Federal High Court had become “functus officio” after delivering its final judgment in the case against INEC and had already addressed issues relating to the party’s logo and colours.

It contended that the Peace Movement Party, which claims ownership of the victory sign adopted by the NDC, is neither a registered political party nor a participant in the registration process.

The party said it has instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, questioning both the jurisdiction of the court and the propriety of the decision.

“We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course. 

“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible,” part of the statement read.

Speaking specifically on Friday’s court ruling, Obi maintained that it would not stop his presidential ambition and urged his supporters to remain peaceful despite the legal setback.

He said: “They cannot stop me. They will fail. Let me assure you it is not the end of the road. We are committed to this democracy and those who want to kill this democracy are trying to hurt the society.

“The reactionary elements in Nigeria, those who are bent on holding Nigeria down do not want it to work but I can assure you it would work. I have confidence that I will pull through because the will of the people must prevail.

“No where is safe in Nigeria today, yet the people who should help salvage the country are bent on hurting our democracy. My message to all those who mean well for Nigeria and not just my supporters is for us to remain peaceful and continue to resist this tragedy being imposed on Nigeria.”