By Prevail Inegbenose
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the enforcement of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pending the determination of an appeal.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court granted a stay of execution against the judgment of Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The appellate court strongly criticized the lower court’s decision to proceed with the matter despite an existing order from the Court of Appeal and while the case remained pending before it. The panel described the action as a violation of judicial hierarchy and constitutional provisions governing the administration of justice.
According to the court, lower courts are bound by the decisions and directives of superior courts and must not act in a manner that undermines the authority of appellate institutions. Consequently, it ordered that the implementation of the Federal High Court judgment be suspended pending further proceedings.
The ruling effectively restores the legal status of the affected political parties and allows them to continue political activities while the appeal is being determined.
The controversy began when Justice Lifu ordered INEC to deregister the parties over alleged constitutional violations following a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL). The plaintiffs argued that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration, including prescribed electoral performance thresholds.
The Appeal Court’s intervention has provided temporary relief for the affected parties while setting the stage for further legal proceedings that could shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.