Appeal Court Reinstates ADC and Four Political Parties

The Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a Federal High Court ruling that mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed, declared the June 15 ruling a nullity due to the incompetent nature of the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL).

The court found that the lower court had no valid case to justify the deregistration order and had wrongly assumed jurisdiction. It criticized Justice Peter Lifu for ignoring a prior stay order and described his actions as “judicial impertinence.” The appellate court ruled that all affected parties remain duly registered and awarded costs against the NFFL.

The Federal High Court had previously stated that these parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.