Appeal court orders INEC to register LPP within 30 days, awards N5.5m in damages

By Muhammad Tanko Shittu —

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Liberation People’s Party, LPP, as a political party and issue it a certificate of registration within 30 days.

In a landmark judgment delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court overturned an earlier decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had declined the reliefs sought by the political association.

The three-member panel of justices unanimously held that the LPP was deemed duly registered under Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, effective from December 2025, being 60 days after the party submitted its application to INEC.

The panel, comprising Justices Banjoko, Abang and Oyewunmi, ruled in favour of the party and awarded N5 million in damages against INEC, in addition to N500,000 as cost of litigation.

The court’s decision followed an appeal filed by the LPP challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice B.F.M. Nyako.

According to the party, it was among 14 political associations prequalified by INEC from a total of 171 applicants seeking registration in 2025.

The LPP stated that after paying the mandatory administrative fee of N2 million, it was issued an access code with a 30-day validity period to enable it upload the required registration documents on INEC’s online portal.

However, the party alleged that INEC blocked its access to the portal before the expiration of the deadline, thereby preventing it from completing the registration process.

In its judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the circumstances of the case entitled the party to be regarded as duly registered in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Reacting to the judgment, lead counsel to the LPP, Barrister John Nwobodo, described the ruling as a triumph for democracy, justice and the rule of law.

“We appreciate the Justices of the Court of Appeal for upholding justice and reaffirming the judiciary as the last hope of the common man,” he said.

Nwobodo also assured Nigerians that the party would remain committed to democratic values, inclusiveness and broader political participation.

The judgment is expected to have significant implications for political party registration in Nigeria, particularly regarding the obligations of INEC and the rights of political associations seeking recognition under the Electoral Act.