Senator Victor Umeh, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised the court decision setting aside the judgment that led to the party’s registration, arguing that it contradicts the court’s earlier findings.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Umeh said the trial judge had previously considered and dismissed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) objections before ordering the commission to register the NDC.
“The judge told INEC it could not blow hot and cold, yet he later contradicted himself by reversing the same order that led to the NDC’s registration,” Umeh said.
He maintained that INEC complied with the original judgment by registering the party and issuing it a certificate without filing an appeal. According to Umeh, the NDC subsequently admitted members, established party structures, organised congresses and carried out other lawful political activities.
Umeh argued that the court should have considered those developments before revisiting the case. He also questioned the legal basis for setting aside a judgment that had already been implemented, insisting that dissatisfied parties should have appealed the ruling instead. He added that the NDC has appealed the latest decision, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal will determine whether the trial court acted within its jurisdiction.
