A’Court restores ADC, Atiku, Mark, Adeleke celebrate

A significant victory for Nigeria's multiparty political system has been secured as the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a Federal High Court decision that ordered the deregistration of five political parties. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, Accord, and Zenith Labour Party have all had their legal status restored following the appellate court's ruling.

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The court held that there was no competent suit before the Federal High Court to warrant the consequential order directing INEC to deregister the affected political parties.

The Court of Appeal found that the lower court had wrongly assumed jurisdiction over the case, which was initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators. Justice Abba Mohammed, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to sue and that the Federal High Court failed to properly evaluate the evidence presented. The court also condemned the trial judge for proceeding with the case despite an order to stay proceedings, labeling the action as "judicial impertinence" and "judicial rascality."

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a form of judicial impertinence

Opposition leaders, including Vice President Atiku Abubakar's camp, ADC national chairman David Mark, and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, hailed the verdict. They described the decision as a major triumph for constitutional democracy and the rule of law. The lower court's initial judgment had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the parties, arguing they failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration. The appellate court's decision nullifies this entirely, restoring the parties' ability to participate in future elections.

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is unfit for the bench, as the conduct amounts to judicial rascality.