The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has suspended the execution of a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, temporarily halting the effect of the controversial ruling.
The appellate court’s decision followed an application by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which asked that the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, be put on hold pending the determination of the appeal.
The Federal High Court had earlier directed INEC to deregister the ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), ruling that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued recognition as political parties.
The judgment had triggered strong reactions, with the ADC rejecting the decision and warning against what it described as an attempt to undermine democratic participation.
INEC, while approaching the Court of Appeal, argued that the circumstances surrounding the delivery of the judgment raised concerns, noting that it was not aware the judgment would be delivered despite an earlier appellate court order relating to the matter. The commission also supported the parties’ move to challenge the ruling.
Lawyers representing the affected parties told the appellate court that allowing the deregistration order to stand could create uncertainty ahead of upcoming elections and affect the political activities of the parties involved.
The legal battle has attracted attention because the ADC is linked with major opposition figures and political movements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the Court of Appeal’s intervention, the immediate threat of deregistration has been paused while the legal arguments over the fate of the parties continue.
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