BREAKING: Appeal Court Stops Deregistration of ADC, Accord Party, Three Others

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has ordered a stay of execution of the Federal High Court’s directive that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregister five political parties.

A three-member panel of the appellate court issued the order on Tuesday during the hearing of an interlocutory appeal filed by the Accord Party, challenging the decision to remove the affected parties from the list of registered political organisations.

The parties affected by the deregistration order include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), All Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The Federal High Court had earlier directed INEC to deregister the five parties on the grounds that they failed to win any electoral seat during the 2023 general elections.

However, lawyers representing the affected parties approached the Court of Appeal, arguing that the trial court proceeded with the matter despite an earlier directive from the appellate court to suspend further proceedings pending the determination of the appeal.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the political parties drew the attention of the court to the alleged disregard of its previous order by the Federal High Court.

The appellate panel, while considering the arguments, criticised the action of the trial court and subsequently granted a stay of execution on the deregistration order.

The justices held that proceeding with the matter despite the pending appeal and earlier directive from the Court of Appeal raised concerns about adherence to judicial processes.

The decision means that the affected political parties will retain their legal status pending the determination of the substantive appeal.

The development has generated reactions within Nigeria’s political space, with opposition parties and stakeholders describing it as a significant step in protecting political participation and democratic competition.

The affected parties had argued that deregistering them would disenfranchise their supporters and limit the choices available to Nigerians ahead of future elections.

Political analysts say the matter highlights ongoing debates around electoral regulations, the powers of INEC, and the constitutional rights of political parties in Nigeria’s democratic system.

The Court of Appeal is expected to hear further arguments before reaching a final decision on the substantive appeal.