"Designed and Timed to Stop Us": NDC National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu Rejects Court Order Halting Party Registration on Channels TV
Appearing on Channels TV’s Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye, the National Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Ikenna Enekweizu, delivered a sharp defense of his party’s legal status following a fresh ruling by a Federal High Court in Lokoja.
The new court order set aside a December 2025 judgment that had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC—the primary political platform expected to field Mr. Peter Obi for the 2027 presidential election. While outside analysts view this as a massive existential setback that could strip the party of its spot on the ballot, Enekweizu vigorously argued that the ruling is procedurally flawed and strategically timed to paralyze their candidate registration workflows. He insisted that the party remains legally functional and will immediately take the fight to the Court of Appeal.
The Timing Dilemma: Why the NDC Views the Order as a Political Hit
Enekweizu pushed back firmly against the idea that the NDC is facing a fatal blowout. He contended that the timing of the judicial reversal—occurring on the exact day the party was scheduled to collect database entry codes from INEC headquarters—points to a coordinated attempt to freeze their candidate scheduling and shrink the opposition space ahead of 2027.
Structural Deficits: The History of the Logo Conflict
Drawing on his background as a legal practitioner, Enekweizu broke down the historical timeline of the party’s interaction with registration guidelines. He argued that INEC has acted whimsically, modifying its objections from the APC broom to a third-party association simply to sustain an administrative block.
"Every Nigerian knows there is foul play... Elementary law shows that the court had no right in the first place to make that order. A judge has no right or power to re-hear a case it has heard to a conclusion. At that point, the judge is functus officio. It was designed and timed to stop us from picking up our codes today, but I can assure you we will pick them up, upload our candidates, and win."
The 2027 Balance: Confronting the Ballot Exclusion Plot
When challenged by the host regarding whether this long legal battle would trigger structural fatigue and cause voters to view the NDC as a wasted ballot, Enekweizu maintained that the pressure would backfire. He argued that public dissatisfaction with current economic conditions makes the electorate fiercely protective of alternative options.
"You don't need anybody to tell you that Peter Gregory Obi is our presidential candidate. He is the choice of a gross majority of Nigerian people... And some persons who know they do not stand a chance against him in the elections do not want him to be on the ballot. That’s what this is all about. But what they are trying to do will backfire against them."
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