The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, describing the earlier ruling as a grave judicial error.
The appellate court set aside the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) from its register.
In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel ruled that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit because it was filed by an entity without legal standing. The court also held that Justice Lifu proceeded with the case despite an earlier directive from the Court of Appeal ordering him to halt proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.
The appellate court described the High Court’s action as a nullity, stressing that it ignored evidence showing the affected political parties had won elective positions in previous elections. It further ruled that the parties remain legally registered and eligible to participate in Nigeria’s political process.
The judgment also criticized Justice Lifu for disregarding the hierarchy of the courts. According to the appellate court, his conduct amounted to judicial impropriety, noting that the Supreme Court had previously condemned such actions as incompatible with judicial standards.
Reacting to the verdict, the ADC welcomed the decision, describing it as a correction of a serious miscarriage of justice. The party said the ruling reaffirmed the rule of law and exposed flaws in the earlier judgment.
ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, hailed the judgment as a victory for democracy and constitutional governance. He described the failed attempt to deregister the party as an attack on Nigeria’s multi-party system and urged members to intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also applauded the ruling, insisting that future elections should be decided by voters rather than through the courts. He said the judgment strengthened public confidence in the judiciary and affirmed the ADC’s legal status ahead of the next general election.
In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s camp said the ruling had effectively ended attempts to prevent him from contesting for a second term, while the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate judgments that conflict with constitutional provisions.
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