Appeal Court Postpones ADC Deregistration Hearing to July

The Appeal Court in Abuja has shifted the hearing date for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties' suit against their deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to July 7, 2026. This decision follows a request from the parties' counsel, Musibau Adetunbi, for a short adjournment to allow for the exchange of briefs and arguments.

The court's three-member panel, led by Justice Abubakar Moham, noted that the Federal High Court's previous judgment, which ordered INEC to deregister the ADC and four other parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements, was under scrutiny. The Appeal Court had previously issued an order on June 16, 2026, suspending the execution of the Federal High Court's judgment, citing a flagrant disobedience of its orders.

The court emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the judiciary and ensure compliance with its directives.