Court of Appeal Adjourns ADC, Accord Party Deregistration Case to July 7 as INEC Defends Political Parties

Court of Appeal Adjourns ADC, Accord Party Deregistration Case to July 7 as INEC Defends Political Parties

The Court of Appeal has postponed the hearing on the deregistration of ADC, Accord Party, and three other political parties until July 7, while INEC continues to oppose the Federal High Court's ruling.

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Court of Appeal Adjourns ADC, Accord Party Deregistration Case to July 7 as INEC Defends Political Parties

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has postponed the hearing of an appeal challenging the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, until July 7, 2026.

The adjournment gives all parties enough time to file and exchange their legal briefs before the substantive hearing, a case that could significantly influence Nigeria's political landscape ahead of future elections.

Why the Court Adjourned the Case

During Thursday's proceedings, counsel for the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), informed the three-member panel led by Justice Abubakar Mohammed that the official record of appeal and the Federal High Court judgment were only received earlier this week.

He requested a short adjournment to allow all parties adequate time to prepare and exchange their legal documents.

No party opposed the request, prompting the appellate court to fix 2:00 p.m. on July 7 for the next hearing.

Justice Mohammed explained that although the defence requested only three days, members of the panel would be unavailable next week due to official assignments outside Abuja.

Political Parties Facing Deregistration

The appeal concerns the deregistration of five registered political parties:

- African Democratic Congress (ADC)

- Accord Party

- Action Peoples Party (APP)

- Action Alliance (AA)

- Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)

Earlier, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements needed to maintain their registration and contest future elections.

INEC Opposes Deregistration

Despite the Federal High Court's decision, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly opposed the deregistration.

INEC argued that the affected political parties remain constitutionally qualified because candidates elected under their platforms won various elective positions across Nigeria.

The electoral commission also presented Certificates of Return issued to successful candidates as evidence that the parties met constitutional requirements.

Appeal Court Previously Halted Deregistration

In an earlier ruling delivered on June 16, the Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution, preventing INEC from implementing the Federal High Court's judgment pending the outcome of the appeal.

The appellate court also criticised the trial judge for delivering the judgment despite an earlier directive ordering him to suspend proceedings.

According to the panel, proceeding with the judgment violated the hierarchy of courts, making it necessary to halt enforcement until the appeal is fully determined.

Why Former Lawmakers Filed the Suit

The legal action was initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The group argued that the affected parties failed to meet the electoral performance requirements outlined under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

According to the plaintiffs, the parties did not secure the minimum constitutional electoral performance during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, making them ineligible to remain registered political parties.

INEC, however, maintains that the parties continue to satisfy constitutional requirements based on their electoral victories across the country.

What Happens Next?

The Court of Appeal will resume hearing on July 7, when all parties are expected to present their legal arguments.

The final decision could shape the future of the affected political parties and provide important judicial clarification on Nigeria's constitutional requirements for political party registration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was the appeal adjourned?

The Court of Appeal adjourned the case to allow all parties sufficient time to file and exchange their legal briefs before the substantive hearing.

Which political parties are affected?

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

Why were the parties ordered to be deregistered?

The Federal High Court ruled that they failed to meet the constitutional electoral performance requirements necessary to remain registered political parties.

Does INEC support the deregistration?

No. INEC argues that the affected parties remain qualified because they have won elective offices and continue to meet constitutional requirements.

When is the next hearing?

The Court of Appeal has fixed July 7, 2026, for the continuation of the appeal hearing.

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