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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the 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 delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed, the appellate court ruled that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case, rendering its judgment null and void.
The court held that the suit was filed by a non-juristic entity, making the entire proceedings incompetent. It also faulted the trial court for ignoring evidence showing that the affected parties had won elective seats in previous elections and criticised it for proceeding with the case despite an earlier order directing it to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.
Consequently, the Court of Appeal restored the registrations of the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), declaring that they remain duly registered political parties eligible to participate in Nigeria’s democratic process. The court also awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators, which instituted the suit, bringing an end to the legal uncertainty surrounding the parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
