APPEAL COURT SAVES ADC, FOUR OTHER PARTIES FROM DEREGISTRATION

APPEAL COURT SAVES ADC, FOUR OTHER PARTIES FROM DEREGISTRATION

Court Voids Lower Court Order Against INEC, Restores Political Parties’ Status

ABUJA — The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the June 15 judgment directing INEC to deregister the parties was a nullity and could not stand.

The court ruled that the trial court wrongly assumed jurisdiction over the matter and issued its order based on an incompetent suit filed by a non-juristic entity.

According to the appellate court, there was no valid legal action before the Federal High Court that could have justified the consequential order directing INEC to withdraw recognition from the affected political parties.

The justices further held that the lower court failed to properly evaluate evidence presented before it, noting that proof showing the parties had won elective positions in previous elections was ignored.

The Court of Appeal also faulted the trial court for proceeding with the matter despite an existing order directing it to stay proceedings in the case.

As a result of the judgment, the registration and recognition of the affected political parties remain intact.

Apart from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the other political parties whose status was restored by the appellate court are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The ruling is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future electoral contests, as the affected parties retain their legal status and eligibility to participate in elections.