ADC, Four Other Parties Retain Registration as Appeal Court Voids Deregistration Judgment

The Court of Appeal has overturned the Federal High Court's judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring the earlier ruling null and void.

The appellate court's decision restores the legal status of the affected parties—ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Delivering a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Abba Mohammed held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter in the first instance. The court ruled that the proceedings and judgment of the lower court were invalid.

According to the appellate court, the claimant who instituted the suit did not have the legal standing, or locus standi, to bring the action. The court therefore set aside the judgment ordering INEC to deregister the five political parties.

The Court of Appeal also faulted the trial court for proceeding to deliver its judgment despite an earlier order directing a stay of proceedings, including the delivery of judgment. The appellate court described the action as judicial insubordination and declared the lower court's decision a nullity.

The ruling effectively reverses the deregistration order and allows the affected political parties to retain their registration with INEC, pending any further legal developments.