By James
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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has temporarily stopped the implementation of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pending the determination of ongoing legal proceedings.
The ruling came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) challenged the Federal High Court’s decision and sought a stay of execution to prevent immediate enforcement of the judgment.
The affected political parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier ruled that the parties should be deregistered for allegedly failing to satisfy constitutional and electoral requirements necessary for maintaining their registration status.
However, in a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice A. B. Mohammed ordered that the judgment be suspended.
The appellate court strongly criticised the lower court for proceeding to deliver its judgment despite an earlier directive issued on May 22, instructing it to halt further proceedings in the matter, pending the resolution of appeals before it.
According to the appellate court, the Federal High Court’s action amounted to a direct challenge to judicial hierarchy and constituted a serious disregard for established legal procedures.
Describing the development as a grave violation of the authority of superior courts, the panel emphasised that courts must respect and enforce the chain of judicial command to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system.
The court subsequently granted INEC’s application for a stay of execution, effectively preserving the legal status of the five political parties until the substantive appeal is heard and determined.
The case has drawn significant national attention, as it could shape the future of party registration and electoral participation in Nigeria ahead of forthcoming political contests.
The final outcome is expected to have far-reaching implications for both INEC’s regulatory powers and the survival of smaller political parties within the country’s democratic landscape.
