In its ruling, the appellate court granted an immediate stay of execution, effectively stopping INEC from taking any steps to remove the parties from its register. The order will remain in force until the Court of Appeal fully hears and determines the substantive appeal filed by the affected political parties challenging the lower court’s decision.
Earlier on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had directed the electoral body to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and three other parties. The judge held that the parties had failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration status. That judgment, if implemented, would have seen the parties lose their legal standing and ability to participate in future elections under their current platforms.
However, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal strongly criticized the approach taken by the Federal High Court. The panel described Justice Lifu’s decision as showing brazen disregard for the higher court and called it an act of judicial impertinence. The appellate court maintained that the status quo must be preserved while the appeal runs its course, ensuring that the parties are not prematurely deregistered before all legal issues are resolved.
The ruling offers temporary relief to the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and the other affected parties as they continue their legal battle to remain on INEC’s list of registered political parties. For now, INEC is barred from acting on the Federal High Court’s directive. Further proceedings are expected as the Court of Appeal moves to hear the main appeal.
