The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.‎‎

In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the June 15 order issued by the Federal High Court was a nullity. ‎‎

The court ruled that the trial court wrongly assumed jurisdiction over an incompetent suit filed by a non-juristic entity and that no valid case existed to justify the consequential orders against the parties.‎‎

The appellate court further found that the high court failed to properly evaluate evidence before it, including proof that the parties had won seats in previous elections.

It also held that the trial judge acted in defiance of an earlier appellate order directing a stay of proceedings.‎‎

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abba Mohammed, the Court of Appeal declared that the five political parties remain duly registered.

It allowed the separate appeals filed by the parties and awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which instituted the original suit.‎‎

The parties whose registration was restored are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).‎‎

The appellate court had earlier, on June 16, ordered a stay of execution of the high court judgment.

It strongly criticised Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for proceeding to deliver judgment despite an order made on May 22 directing him to stay proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal. ‎‎

The panel described the trial judge’s action as “a form of judicial impertinence,” noting that the Supreme Court had previously held that such conduct amounts to judicial rascality and renders a judge unfit for the bench.

‎‎The Federal High Court had earlier directed INEC to deregister the five parties for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). ‎‎

It also barred INEC from recognising the parties, accepting their candidate nominations, or giving effect to their activities for the 2027 general elections, and ordered them to stop presenting themselves as registered political parties.

‎‎The NFFL had filed the suit (marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026), arguing that the parties failed to meet the constitutional thresholds, including winning at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing an elective seat at national, state or local government level.

The group claimed the parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections.‎‎

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, supported the plaintiffs’ position, contending that retaining the parties violated constitutional provisions and undermined electoral integrity.‎‎

All the defendants, including INEC, appealed the judgment.The Court of Appeal has now fully set it aside.

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THE Presidential standard bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, says his decision to commit to a single term of four years in office if he wins the 2027 presidential election is to ensure that people trust public officers.

Obi, made the clarification during an appearance on Channels Television’s evening programme, Sunday Politics

He maintain that he will not try by any means to extend his tenure by as much as one day.

Obi dismissed the claims by a former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, that he would split Nigeria if elected President.

The NDC presidential runner said that all what Sheriff stated were opposite of what he is currently doing and have done in the past.

• Collage of President Trump, and President Tinubu

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has expressed doubts about the letter United States, President Donald Trump, reportedly sent as an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Frank, who described the letter as a routine diplomatic correspondence acknowledging security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, dared the Presidency to publish the letter, insisting that any genuine communication from the American President should bear the official White House seal and President Trump’s signature.

“The letter is not from the White House. If it doesn’t have the White House seal and the signature of the President of the United States, it appears dubious at best,” Frank said in a statement.

He questioned the authenticity of the document being celebrated by the Federal Government, maintaining that even if the letter exists, it should not be interpreted as political support for Tinubu or his administration.

“The letter only commended Nigeria for partnering with the United States in addressing insecurity. That is the only reason President Trump may have written it.

It was not an endorsement of President Tinubu’s leadership, his economic policies or his administration. It did not say the Trump administration is backing President Tinubu or supporting him for any election in Nigeria.

The Presidency is only trying to change the narrative by presenting it as something more than it is,” he said.

Credit: Daily Trust