A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA) as a political party in Nigeria.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the ruling on Tuesday while hearing a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2787/25, filed by leaders of the association against INEC.
The court also directed the electoral commission to issue a certificate of registration to the party within seven days.
CDA was among eight associations that INEC announced in October 2025 had successfully completed the initial stage of the registration process by submitting the required documents and information.
However, the commission later rejected the association’s application in December 2025. Subsequently, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan said only one association, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), met all legal requirements and was eventually registered.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the claimants approached the court, arguing that the CDA had fulfilled all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration and that INEC’s refusal to register the association was unjustified.
After considering the case, the court ruled in favour of the applicants and ordered INEC to register the Citizens Democratic Alliance and issue its certificate of registration within seven days.
