Court of Appeal Halts Deregistration of Political Parties

The Abure-led faction of the Labour Party expressed approval of the Court of Appeal's decision on Tuesday, which halted the implementation of a Federal High Court ruling that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The Labour Party spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, criticized Justice Peter Lifu's initial ruling, claiming it disregarded established legal principles and the hierarchy of the judiciary.

Ifoh emphasized that the judgment negatively impacted the Labour Party's internal affairs and electoral processes. The Court of Appeal, led by a three-member panel, described the lower court's actions as a serious breach of judicial hierarchy and noted that Justice Lifu had ignored a restraining order.

The Labour Party hopes the Supreme Court will ultimately rectify the matter, asserting that the initial judgment was contrary to known legal principles.