APP not affected by Justice Lifu’s deregistration judgment — Legal analysts

Contrary to reports arising from the recent judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu ordering the deregistration of five political parties, available legal records indicate that the Action People’s Party, APP, is not affected by the ruling and remains a legally recognized political party entitled to participate in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Legal analysts and party stakeholders have pointed to a series of existing judgments delivered by courts of competent jurisdiction, including the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, which have consistently affirmed the legal status and continued existence of the APP.

According to available court records, no fewer than three Federal High Court judgments had previously held that the APP satisfied all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration as a political party. These decisions were subsequently affirmed by the Court of Appeal and ultimately reinforced by the Supreme Court, effectively settling questions surrounding the party’s legal status.

Observers note that the hierarchy of courts and the principle of judicial precedent make it difficult for any subsequent judgment to invalidate or override decisions already affirmed by superior courts, particularly the Supreme Court.

As a result, legal experts have described Justice Lifu’s judgment, insofar as it may be interpreted to affect the APP, as merely an academic exercise with no practical consequence on the party’s continued recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The APP’s status as a duly registered political party has already been settled by multiple judicial pronouncements culminating in decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Those judgments remain binding and enforceable,” a legal source familiar with the matter stated.

Stakeholders further insist that the APP remains qualified to field candidates and participate in all electoral activities, including the 2027 General Elections, unless and until any contrary order is issued by a superior court with jurisdiction over the matter.

The development comes amid growing public debate over the implications of Justice Lifu’s ruling and its potential effect on Nigeria’s political landscape.

However, legal commentators maintain that existing appellate and Supreme Court judgments affirming the APP’s existence remain the prevailing law.

Consequently, the Action People’s Party remains on the ballot and will actively participate in the 2027 general elections, in line with the subsisting judgments of the nation’s higher courts.