The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered an immediate stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The appellate court’s decision temporarily prevents INEC from taking any steps to implement the deregistration order pending the determination of the substantive appeal filed by the affected political parties.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal issued the order after considering applications brought by the parties challenging the ruling delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Lifu had ordered INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties, including the Accord Party, over allegations that they failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for continued registration and participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
However, the Court of Appeal faulted the lower court’s decision and reportedly described the ruling as a “brazen disregard for the higher court and judicial impertinence,” suggesting that the Federal High Court may have acted despite existing appellate decisions or pending legal issues relating to the deregistration of political parties.
The appellate court consequently restrained INEC from enforcing the judgment until the appeal challenging the ruling is fully heard and determined.
The development represents a significant legal victory for the affected parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress and Accord Party, which had strongly condemned the Federal High Court’s judgment and vowed to challenge it through all available legal means.
The ruling also has broader implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections, as the parties retain their legal status and political rights pending the final resolution of the case.
With the stay of execution now in place, attention will shift to the substantive appeal, where the Court of Appeal will determine whether Justice Lifu’s judgment ordering the deregistration of the parties can stand under the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The decision effectively restores the status quo, ensuring that the affected political parties remain registered and operational while the legal battle continues.
