Appeal Court Restores ADC, Four Other Political Parties

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, ruling that the lower court lacked the legal authority to hear the case. 

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed, the appellate court held that the suit which led to the deregistration order was incompetent because it was filed by a body that lacked the legal standing to institute the action. 

The court also found that the Federal High Court failed to properly evaluate evidence showing that the affected political parties had won elective positions in previous elections, making the deregistration order unsustainable. 

The appellate court further ruled that the trial judge acted improperly by proceeding with the case despite an earlier directive to suspend proceedings pending the outcome of an interlocutory appeal. 

Following the judgment, the Court of Appeal set aside the deregistration order and restored the legal status of the affected parties.

The parties reinstated by the court are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party. 

The appellate court also awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators, the group that instituted the suit seeking the deregistration of the parties. 

The ruling is expected to strengthen the participation of the affected political parties in preparations for the 2027 general elections, ending weeks of uncertainty over their legal status. 

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