Political Parties Deregistration: INEC Backs Appeal, Seeks Stay of Execution

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to suspend the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties. The commission also expressed support for appeals filed by the affected parties against the ruling.

Appearing before a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, INEC, through its counsel, Haliru Mohammed, said the commission was taken by surprise when Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment despite an earlier order that reportedly restrained its delivery.

Mohammed told the court that INEC was neither notified of a new date for the judgment nor served any formal notice before the decision was delivered. According to him, the commission only became aware of the judgment through media reports.

ADC's counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), also faulted the actions of the trial judge, claiming the party received notification of the judgment through WhatsApp.

The senior lawyer urged the appellate court to protect the integrity of the judicial process by suspending the judgment.

Lawyers representing other parties argued that implementation of the judgment could create confusion ahead of scheduled by-elections in six states on June 20.

Justice Lifu had ruled that the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) no longer met constitutional requirements for continued registration.

The ruling followed a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to satisfy electoral performance benchmarks outlined in the Constitution and Electoral Act.

The Court of Appeal is expected to determine whether the judgment should be suspended pending the hearing of substantive appeals.