Appeal Court halts order removing ADC, others 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday suspended the execution of a Federal High Court judgement that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, handing a major reprieve to Nigeria’s opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.

This development will be regarded as a sigh of relief for the opposition after a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (A) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for their alleged failure to meet requirements for existence.

However, on Tuesday, in a unanimous ruling, a three-member panel led by Justice A.B. Mohammed granted a stay of execution of the lower court’s judgement and sharply criticised Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier order directing him to halt further proceedings.

The appellate court held that the trial judge acted in defiance of its May 22 order, describing the action as a violation of the judicial hierarchy and constitutional order.

According to the court, proceeding to judgement despite a subsisting appellate directive amounted to “the highest form of judicial impertinence” and undermined the authority of superior courts.

“The enforcement of the judgement is hereby stayed,” the court ruled.

The decision effectively suspends the implementation of the June 15 judgement which directed INEC
to deregister the parties.

Justice Lifu had ruled that the parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for continued registration and participation in elections.

He consequently barred INEC from recognising the affected parties, accepting candidates sponsored by them or permitting them to participate in the 2027 elections.

The suit was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the parties failed to meet the electoral performance thresholds prescribed under Section 225A of the Constitution.

But the Appeal Court ruling restores the status quo pending the determination of the substantive appeal, ensuring that the ADC and the other affected parties remain legally recognised for now.

The judgement is particularly significant for the ADC, which has emerged as the platform of a broad opposition coalition and has fielded former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.