Appeal Court nullifies Court order deregistering ADC, Accord, three other political parties

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties, handing the affected parties a significant legal victory.

In its ruling, the appellate court overturned the earlier decision of the lower court, effectively restoring the legal status of the five political parties and affirming their continued recognition under Nigeria’s electoral framework.

The Federal High Court had previously directed that the parties be deregistered, a decision that sparked legal challenges from the affected political platforms, which argued that the order was inconsistent with constitutional and electoral provisions governing the registration and deregistration of political parties.

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By allowing the appeal, the Court of Appeal nullified the lower court’s judgment, bringing an end to the immediate threat to the existence of the affected parties.

The ruling means that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and the three other political parties remain legally registered and are entitled to continue participating in Nigeria’s political process, subject to the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as political parties continue preparations for future electoral activities.

Further details of the Court of Appeal’s reasoning and the identities of the other affected political parties are expected to emerge as the certified judgment becomes available.