Barely hours after former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso formally aligned with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the party has reportedly been taken to court over alleged irregularities surrounding its registration.
The legal action is said to be challenging the process through which the NDC was recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raising questions about compliance with constitutional and electoral requirements.
The development comes at a critical moment for the party, which has suddenly gained national prominence following the high-profile defection of Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Findings indicate that the NDC’s registration may have involved judicial intervention, with reports suggesting that a court order played a role in its recognition by INEC. This has fueled concerns among critics and triggered fresh litigation aimed at testing the legality of the process.
Obi and Kwankwaso had only just announced their move to the party after exiting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal crises and ideological differences as reasons for their defection. Their entry was widely seen as a major realignment within Nigeria’s opposition politics.
The lawsuit now threatens to complicate the party’s early momentum, as legal scrutiny could affect its standing and participation in future political activities if the court rules against its registration.
The unfolding legal battle may shape the trajectory of the NDC and its role in the emerging opposition coalition ahead of 2027.
