Appeal Court Nullifies ADC Deregistration Order by INEC

The Abuja division of the Appeal Court nullified a previous ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with four other political parties. Following this decision, ADC counsel Dr Alex Adum called for an investigation into Justice Lifu's actions, arguing that they threatened the participation of these parties in the upcoming 2027 elections.

The appellate court, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, described Lifu's ruling as “a form of judicial impertinence” and emphasized that the Supreme Court had previously determined that judges exhibiting such behavior are unfit for the bench. The appellate court found that the trial court failed to properly evaluate evidence and ignored proof of the parties' electoral successes.

Adum stated that the judgment restored constitutional order and affirmed the requirements for political party registration as outlined in Section 225A of the constitution.