BREAKING: Appeal Court Halts Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Political Parties
The Court of Appeal has suspended the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed, the appellate court granted a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal filed by the affected parties.
The court also faulted the conduct of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for proceeding to deliver judgment despite an earlier directive issued by the Court of Appeal on May 22, ordering a suspension of proceedings in the matter.
Describing the action as a serious violation of judicial hierarchy, the appellate court held that the trial judge acted in disregard of its authority and constitutional provisions.
According to the panel, the lower court’s decision to proceed with the case despite a subsisting appellate order amounted to a direct challenge to the supervisory powers of the Court of Appeal.
“The enforcement of the judgment is hereby stayed,” the court ruled, stressing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial system and ensure obedience to lawful court orders.
The disputed judgment had directed INEC to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), on the grounds that they failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for continued registration as political parties.
Justice Lifu had also barred INEC from recognising the affected parties, accepting candidates nominated by them, or allowing them to participate in preparations for the 2027 general elections. The parties were further restrained from presenting themselves as registered political organisations.
The suit was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the parties had consistently failed to meet the electoral performance benchmarks outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and relevant INEC regulations.
The group maintained that the parties did not secure the required electoral support in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, including winning elective offices at the national, state, or local government levels.
However, with the Court of Appeal’s latest decision, the implementation of the deregistration order has been put on hold pending the resolution of the substantive appeal.
