INEC Moves to Halt ADC, Others’ Deregistration as Appeal Court Hears Stay Application

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has moved to stop the enforcement of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

The electoral body on Tuesday approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking a stay of execution of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

INEC also indicated support for the appeal filed by the affected political parties challenging the deregistration order.

Appearing before a three-member panel of the appellate court, INEC’s legal team led by Haliru Mohammed said the commission was not opposed to the application seeking to suspend the effect of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal.

The commission told the court that it was surprised by the decision of the Federal High Court to proceed with the judgment despite an earlier order of the Court of Appeal restraining the delivery of the ruling.

“My Lords, we are aware of an order that this court made on May 22, which stopped the delivery of the judgment of the lower court, which was initially reserved for delivery on June 5,” INEC said.

The commission further informed the court that it was not notified of any fresh date for the judgment and only became aware of the decision through media reports.

“We were not aware of any notice from the court regarding the delivery of the judgment. We only saw it as breaking news in the media,” the electoral body stated.

INEC’s position effectively aligned with the political parties’ request that the implementation of the deregistration order be suspended until the appeal is concluded.

The Federal High Court had recently ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties, a decision that has sparked widespread reactions from political actors and raised concerns over the implications for Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.

The affected parties have challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the judgment should not take effect while the appeal process is ongoing.

The appellate court is expected to consider the application for stay of execution as the legal battle over the fate of the parties continues.