Court of Appeal Reserves Judgment on ADC Deregistration

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeals filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, including the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party. These parties are seeking to overturn a Federal High Court ruling that ordered their deregistration due to non-compliance with constitutional requirements.

The three-member panel, led by Justice Abba Moham Okai, heard arguments from the parties, which included a request to nullify the Federal High Court's judgment. The court had previously issued an order on June 16 to stay the execution of the Federal High Court's judgment.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five political parties for failing to meet the necessary constitutional benchmarks. The parties argued that their continued existence is vital for participation in the upcoming 2027 general elections, while the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, supported the plaintiffs' case.