BREAKING: Appeal Court Halts Deregistration of ADC, Accord Party; Slams Lower Court for "Judicial Rascality

By David Alani Ige, (The Scribe)

Published on Ayekooto Media | July 28, 2026

      

ABUJA, NIGERIA — In a massive victory for multiparty democracy, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has decisively intervened in the controversial deregistration of opposition political parties, suspending the Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party. 

A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, stayed the execution of the lower court's contentious order. The appellate ruling breathed life back into the affected parties, ensuring their structures remain intact as the political landscape heats up ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

The Genesis of the Legal Battle

The political storm began when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a sweeping judgment ordering INEC to strip five opposition parties of their registered status. The affected parties included the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). 

The deregistration suit was instituted by a group known as the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL). The group argued that the five political parties failed to satisfy the constitutional requirements for continued registration under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed the parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections, failing to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or win at least one elective office. 

Justice Lifu agreed with the plaintiffs, ordering INEC to remove the parties from its register and barring them from participating in the 2027 general elections unless the decision was set aside.

The Appeal Court's Hammer

However, the unvarnished truth of the judiciary is that the appellate court does not take kindly to trial judges who flout procedural hierarchy. 

Less than 24 hours after Justice Lifu's ruling, the Court of Appeal suspended the judgement. The appellate panel severely criticized Justice Lifu for proceeding with the deregistration case despite an earlier May 22 order from the appellate court directing him to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal. 

In delivering its rebuke, the appellate court did not mince words. The panel described Justice Lifu's decision to deliver the judgment as a form of “judicial impertinence” and “judicial rascality”. The panel even noted that the Supreme Court has consistently held that a judge who acts in such a manner is “unfit for the bench”. 

What This Means for 2027

With the execution of the deregistration order officially stayed by the Court of Appeal, the ADC, Accord Party, and the other three political platforms retain their legal standing as registered political parties in Nigeria. The appellate court has reserved its final judgment on the substantive appeals, stating it will notify all parties when the final decision is ready. 

For the political actors in Oyo State and across the nation—many of whom have been seeking alternative platforms like the ADC and Accord to actualize their 2027 ambitions—this ruling provides a massive sigh of relief. The opposition space remains open, and the battle for 2027 continues unabated.

David Alani Ige, (The Scribe)

Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Ayekooto Media

Phunshor01@gmail.com | publisher@ayekootomediang.com

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