INEC Seeks Halt to ADC Deregistration
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has thrown its support behind efforts to halt the implementation of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The electoral commission made its position known on Tuesday during proceedings before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where it urged the court to stay the execution of the controversial judgment pending the determination of appeals filed by the affected parties.
Represented by its lead counsel, Haliru Mohammed, INEC told the appellate court that it was surprised by the delivery of the judgment, noting that an earlier order of the Court of Appeal had restrained the lower court from proceeding with the matter.
According to the commission, it was neither notified of the date fixed for the judgment nor informed that the ruling would be delivered. Mohammed said INEC only learned of the development through media reports.
He recalled that the Court of Appeal had on May 22 directed that the judgment, initially scheduled for June 5, should not be delivered pending further proceedings. Consequently, INEC expressed no objection to the application seeking a stay of execution.
Counsel to the ADC, Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, also faulted the actions of the trial court, alleging that Justice Peter Lifu proceeded with the judgment despite being aware of the appellate court's directive.
Aruwa told the court that the ADC received notice of the judgment through a WhatsApp message from the trial judge. He argued that the decision undermined the authority of the Court of Appeal and posed a threat to judicial order.
The senior lawyer urged the appellate court to take urgent action by suspending the judgment and safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process.
Other parties involved in the matter warned that failure to halt the judgment could create uncertainty ahead of by elections scheduled to hold in six states on June 20.
They argued that the Court of Appeal possesses supervisory authority over lower courts and should ensure that its orders are respected.
The appellate court continued hearing arguments from the parties and is expected to rule on the applications before it.
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 the constitutional requirements for recognition as political parties.
The court consequently directed INEC to withdraw recognition from the parties, reject future nominations submitted by them, and prevent them from participating in the 2027 general elections.
The judgment stemmed from a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the affected parties failed to satisfy electoral performance benchmarks outlined in the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations.
The group maintained that the parties did not secure the required electoral support or win elective positions at the national, state or local government levels, thereby forfeiting their right to remain registered political parties.
The appellate court's eventual decision is expected to determine the political future of the five parties ahead of preparations for the 2027 elections.
