LAGOS — The legal dispute surrounding the planned removal of the (ADC) African Democratic Congressand four additional political parties from Nigeria’s electoral register took a new direction yesterday after the Court of Appeal in Abuja halted implementation of the earlier Federal High Court ruling.
The appellate court, sitting as a three-member panel and chaired by Justice A.B. Mohammed, unanimously approved a request to suspend enforcement of the judgment pending further proceedings.
During the ruling, the appeal court strongly criticised the Federal High Court for delivering its decision despite an earlier directive instructing it to pause all actions connected to the case. According to the panel, such conduct undermined the established authority structure within Nigeria’s judicial system.
INEC, which backed the application seeking suspension of the ruling, explained that it had not received prior notice of the judgment’s delivery and only became aware after reports circulated in the media.
The political organisations affected include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.
Their deregistration had been sought by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the parties did not satisfy constitutional and electoral requirements relating to political performance and participation. The group based its arguments on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and existing electoral regulations.
The matter, filed as Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, resulted in a judgment directing INEC to remove the parties from its official register.
That decision generated widespread reactions across political and civic circles. Opposition stakeholders and civil society organisations warned that such action could narrow political participation and weaken democratic competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Supporters of the Federal High Court ruling, however, maintained that the decision reflected constitutional obligations requiring political parties to demonstrate minimum electoral relevance.
In granting the stay of execution, the Court of Appeal faulted Justice Lifu for continuing with proceedings despite an earlier appellate order issued on May 22 instructing suspension of activities on the case.
The court described the action as a direct challenge to judicial authority and stressed that lower courts are expected to comply with superior court directives. The panel further referenced previous Supreme Court pronouncements condemning similar actions by judicial officers.
According to the ruling, courts must preserve institutional credibility and maintain respect for established judicial procedures. The appellate court stated that it retains supervisory powers over lower courts and has responsibility to ensure its orders are obeyed.
Consequently, the court approved the application and suspended implementation of the judgment.
Before the ruling, INEC had already approached the appellate court requesting that enforcement of the deregistration order be paused while supporting the appeal filed by the affected political parties.
