The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit that resulted in the deregistration order.
The decision effectively nullifies the earlier judgment against the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
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The Court of Appeal, in the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abba Mohammed, ruled that the suit filed before the Federal High Court was incompetent and could not support the orders made by the lower court.
The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had on June 15 ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five political parties for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
The court had also barred INEC from recognising the parties, accepting their candidates or allowing them to participate in the 2027 general elections.
But the Court of Appeal has now set aside the judgment and its consequential orders, clearing the immediate legal hurdle facing the parties.
The ruling is particularly significant for the ADC, which has recently attracted considerable political attention amid efforts by opposition politicians and groups to build a formidable platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The judgment means the ADC and the four other parties can continue their political activities and preparations for the 2027 elections, subject to any further appeal.
The development is expected to further intensify political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, as opposition groups continue to explore new alliances and platforms to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The affected parties may now proceed with their electoral plans, although the possibility of further legal action at the Supreme Court remains.
