Drama as Appeal Court Stops Move to Deregister ADC, Other Opposition Parties

Fresh political tension erupted on Thursday after the Court of Appeal in Abuja halted the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

The appellate court suspended the enforcement of a Federal High Court judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the parties from its register.

Delivering a unanimous ruling, the three-man panel led by Justice A.B. Mohammed faulted Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with judgment despite an earlier order from the Appeal Court asking him to suspend action on the case.

The court condemned the move as a serious breach of judicial hierarchy.

According to the ruling:

“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution.”

The parties affected are ADC, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.

The deregistration suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the parties failed to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

Justice Lifu had granted the request and ordered INEC to deregister the parties, a decision that immediately sparked outrage among opposition figures and civil society organisations.

INEC, however, distanced itself from the judgment at the Appeal Court, saying it was unaware that the lower court intended to deliver its ruling.

INEC lawyer Haliru Mohammed told the court:

“We only saw it as breaking news in the media.”

The commission supported the request for a stay of execution, which the Appeal Court eventually granted.

ADC’s counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, described the lower court’s action as “an invitation to anarchy” and urged the appellate court to protect the integrity of the judiciary.

He stated:

“What the trial judge did was dare this Court of Appeal.”

The controversy has triggered strong political reactions nationwide.

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim alleged that the development was part of a wider effort to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former APC spokesman Timi Frank also warned that any attempt to eliminate opposition parties could create “a crisis that may be difficult to contain.”

But supporters of the judgment insist the ruling was based strictly on constitutional provisions governing political party performance.

Ondo State Attorney-General, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, defended the decision, saying:

“Justice Lifu did not create the law; he simply interpreted and applied it as enacted.”

The matter is expected to remain a major political and legal issue in the coming weeks as appeals continue.

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