Appeal Court Halts Enforcement of Judgment Deregistering ADC, Four Other Political Parties

The Court of Appeal has suspended the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
In its ruling, the appeal court faulted the decision of the lower court, describing the development as a serious breach of judicial process and stating that the trial judge acted in disregard of an earlier order issued by the appellate court.
The controversy arose after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court reportedly directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order staying further action on the matter pending the determination of an appeal.
The Court of Appeal had earlier fixed October 27, 2026, for further proceedings in the case and directed all parties to maintain the status quo until then.
Reacting to the development, the appellate court criticized the lower court’s action, describing it as inconsistent with established judicial procedures and the hierarchy of courts.
Meanwhile, INEC has also filed an application for a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment, pending the final determination of the appeal.
The latest ruling means that the deregistration order cannot be enforced until the appeal is heard and determined by the Court of Appeal.