By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has scheduled July 7 to hear an appeal challenging the proposed deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
The appellate court adjourned the matter on Thursday to allow all parties to file and exchange their briefs of argument ahead of the substantive hearing.
During proceedings, counsel to the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), told the court that the record of appeal and the Federal High Court judgment had only been obtained earlier in the week before being transmitted to the appellate court. His request for a short adjournment was not opposed by any of the parties.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Abubakar Mohammed, subsequently fixed July 7 for the hearing, noting that some members of the panel had official engagements outside Abuja.
The appeal stems from a judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party over alleged failure to satisfy constitutional requirements for continued registration.
INEC, however, has challenged the ruling, insisting that the affected parties remain constitutionally qualified to operate and have produced elected officials in previous elections. The commission cited certificates of return issued to candidates elected on their platforms as evidence.
In an earlier ruling delivered on June 16, the Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment, preventing INEC from enforcing the deregistration pending the outcome of the appeal. The appellate court also criticised the lower court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier directive to suspend proceedings.
The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the five political parties failed to meet electoral performance thresholds under the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022. INEC has maintained that the parties remain legally registered and compliant with existing laws.
