By Lizzy Chirkpi
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to suspend the enforcement of a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties, describing the ruling as a triumph for democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday ordered a stay of execution of the judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), pending the determination of appeals arising from the case.
The appellate court’s intervention came barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered INEC to deregister the five parties for allegedly failing to meet the constitutional requirements for continued registration.
Reacting to the development, Atiku said the decision of the appellate court had reinforced public confidence in the judiciary and demonstrated the resilience of democratic institutions.
“The Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the deregistration order is a welcome affirmation of the rule of law and democratic justice,” he said.
He commended the appellate court for upholding constitutional principles and ensuring that due process is respected in matters with far-reaching political implications.
The former vice president had earlier criticised the Federal High Court judgment, describing it as “the height of judicial rascality” because it was delivered despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal directing that proceedings in the matter be suspended pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.
According to Atiku, any attempt to remove opposition parties from the political landscape through judicial means poses a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
“The so-called deregistration of the ADC and other parties is part of a desperate bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a one-party state,” he had said.
Tuesday’s ruling effectively preserves the legal status of the affected parties and restrains INEC from taking any steps towards implementing the deregistration order until all pending appeals and applications are determined.
The dispute arose from a suit that culminated in a Federal High Court judgment directing INEC to deregister the five parties over their alleged failure to satisfy constitutional conditions for continued registration, including electoral performance requirements.
However, the Court of Appeal held that the judgment should not be enforced while issues relating to an earlier appeal and pending applications remain unresolved.
The appellate court’s decision is expected to provide immediate relief to the affected parties and their members, while also setting the stage for a broader legal contest over the powers of INEC, the rights of political parties and the constitutional safeguards governing Nigeria’s democratic process.
The case has attracted widespread political attention because of its potential implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. Critics of the deregistration move argue that reducing the number of registered political parties through judicial intervention could narrow the democratic space, while supporters insist that constitutional provisions on party registration and performance must be enforced.
With the Court of Appeal scheduled to hear all pending applications on June 25, the legal battle over the future of the affected parties is far from over. For now, however, the ruling has ensured that the ADC and the four other parties remain legally recognised and able to continue their political activities pending the final determination of the case.