Appeal Court restores ADC, four other parties, overturns deregistration order
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, describing the lower court’s actions as a nullity.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court acted without jurisdiction by proceeding with the case despite an earlier order directing him to stay proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.
The affected political parties include the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The court ruled that the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) was incompetent because it was instituted by a non-juristic entity. It further held that there was no valid legal basis for the order directing INEC to deregister the parties.
Justice Abba Mohammed, who delivered the lead judgment, said the trial court failed to properly evaluate evidence, including INEC’s submissions showing that the affected parties had met constitutional requirements to remain registered.
The appellate court also faulted Justice Lifu for disregarding its earlier directive to suspend proceedings, describing the action as a clear breach of judicial hierarchy.
The court consequently allowed the appeals filed by the affected political parties and INEC, declaring that all five parties remain duly registered and eligible to participate in future elections.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC described the verdict as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
National Chairman of the party, David Mark, said the attempted deregistration amounted to an assault on Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, while the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, said elections should be decided by voters rather than through court actions.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) also welcomed the judgment and urged the National Judicial Council to investigate judgments it said were inconsistent with constitutional provisions, arguing that the appellate court’s decision had reinforced confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
