Appeal Court Defers ADC, APP, AA, AP, ZLP Deregistration Case to July 7

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed July 7, 2026 for the substantive hearing of appeals filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties challenging a Federal High Court judgment that ordered their deregistration.

A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, scheduled the hearing date after concluding preliminary proceedings aimed at allowing parties in the matter to regularise and harmonise all court processes filed before it.

The appeals were filed by the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), all of which are seeking to overturn the lower court judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw their registration.

The appellate court ruled that all pending appeals would be taken together on the adjourned date.

The development comes weeks after the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of the controversial judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a strongly worded ruling delivered on June 16, the appellate court criticised the trial judge for proceeding with the case despite an earlier order directing him to suspend further action pending the determination of appeals filed by the affected parties.

The appellate panel held that Justice Lifu acted in disregard of a valid court order issued on May 22 and described his conduct as a breach of judicial hierarchy.

According to the court, the trial judge was fully aware of the order staying proceedings but proceeded to deliver judgment regardless.

The appellate court described the action as "a form of judicial impertinence" and referenced previous Supreme Court decisions which held that judges who deliberately disregard superior court orders engage in conduct amounting to "judicial rascality."

The controversy stems from a judgment delivered by Justice Lifu, which directed INEC to deregister the five political parties on the grounds that they failed to satisfy constitutional and electoral requirements necessary to retain their status as registered political parties.

The court further restrained INEC from recognising the affected parties, accepting candidates sponsored by them, or allowing them to participate in future electoral activities, including preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Lifu held that the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which instituted the suit, had successfully demonstrated that the parties failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required for their continued existence.

The NFFL argued that under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations, political parties that consistently fail to meet prescribed electoral performance thresholds are liable to deregistration.

According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties neither secured at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during presidential elections nor won elective positions at the federal, state or local government levels as required by law.

The former lawmakers maintained that the ADC, APP, AA, AP and ZLP recorded poor performances during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.

However, the affected political parties rejected the judgment, insisting that the ruling was flawed and unconstitutional.

INEC also appealed the decision, joining the parties in asking the Court of Appeal to nullify the judgment.

The outcome of the July 7 hearing is expected to determine whether the five parties will retain their legal status ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.