Deregistration of ADC, others was judicial rascality — A-COURT

Nigeria's Court of Appeal has nullified a Federal High Court order that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and three other political parties. The appellate court slammed the lower court's decision as "judicial rascality" and "impertinence."

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judicial rascality, impertinence.

The ruling came after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court issued the deregistration order on June 15, despite an earlier directive from the Court of Appeal on May 22 to halt proceedings. The appellate court unanimously held that the high court had wrongly assumed jurisdiction and issued the order based on an incompetent suit filed by a non-juristic entity.

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the verdict as correction of miscarriage of justice

The ADC welcomed the verdict, calling it a correction of a miscarriage of justice. Its National Chairman, Senator David Mark, described the deregistration attempt as an assault on democracy. Atiku Abubakar, the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, stated that elections should be won at the ballot, not in court. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, running for a second term on the Accord Party platform, expressed relief that the ruling would allow him to remain on the ballot.

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the party’s deregistration bid as an assault on democracy

The Court of Appeal found that the trial court failed to properly evaluate evidence, ignoring proof that the parties had won seats in previous elections. It also noted the high court's defiance of a stay-of-proceedings order. Consequently, the appellate court ruled that all affected parties remain duly registered and awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators, which initiated the case.

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the forthcoming election must be won at the ballot and not in court.