The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgement that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.

The appellate court declared the earlier ruling null and void.

The parties affected were the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party. The Federal High Court had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister them over their performance in the 2023 general elections.

A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that the trial court lacked the power to hear the case. It also noted that the lower court ignored an earlier order directing a stay of proceedings.

The appellate court described the Federal High Court judgement as a nullity and said it amounted to judicial insubordination. It further ruled that the person who filed the original case had no legal standing to do so.

Counsel to one of the parties welcomed the decision, describing it as a victory for democracy and respect for the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria. The ruling allows the affected parties to continue operating.

Photo credit: People’s Gazzette