By Our Correspondent
The Court of Appeal has delivered a landmark judgment restoring the legal status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, a decision that has been widely welcomed by prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In a unanimous ruling, the appellate court overturned the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, which had ordered the deregistration of the ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The court held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and ruled that the plaintiff had no legal standing to seek the deregistration of the affected political parties.
The Appeal Court also found that the Federal High Court proceeded with the matter despite a valid stay of proceedings already issued by the appellate court. According to the justices, this amounted to a legal error, making the earlier judgment unsustainable.
Reacting to the ruling, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the decision as a significant victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law. He said the judgment reaffirms that political contests should be decided by the electorate through free and fair elections rather than through courtroom battles.
Governor Ademola Adeleke also hailed the judgment, describing it as a triumph for justice, democratic values, and political inclusion. He commended the judiciary for upholding the Constitution and ensuring that every duly registered political party enjoys its legal rights.
Legal analysts have described the judgment as one that strengthens Nigeria’s democratic institutions by protecting the rights of political parties and reinforcing due process. They noted that the ruling serves as a reminder that electoral disputes must be resolved within the bounds of the law.
With the Appeal Court’s decision, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can no longer proceed with the deregistration of the affected parties based on the overturned judgment. The restored parties are now free to continue their political activities and prepare for future elections.
The ruling is expected to reshape the nation’s political landscape ahead of upcoming electoral contests, providing opposition parties with renewed confidence and reaffirming the judiciary’s role as a guardian of democratic principles.
