Court of Appeal Reserves Judgment in Deregistration Appeal by Five Political Parties Against INEC

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in a high-stakes appeal filed by five political parties — Accord, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action People’s Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — challenging the decision of the Federal High Court which ordered their deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed announced the reservation of judgment after hearing extensive submissions from counsel representing all parties. The court stated that the date for delivery of judgment would be communicated in due course.

The appeal seeks to overturn the judgment of the Federal High Court, which directed INEC to deregister the affected political parties. The appellants contend that the lower court erred in law and have urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision.

The respondents in the appeal include the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which instituted the original suit, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the affected political parties.

Counsel to the appellants argued that the Federal High Court’s decision was inconsistent with the constitutional framework governing the registration and continued existence of political parties, urging the appellate court to allow the appeal and reverse the judgment.

On its part, the NFFL asked the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgment of the lower court, maintaining that the affected parties no longer satisfied the constitutional conditions for retaining their status as registered political parties.

The dispute arose from a suit instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which sought the court’s interpretation of Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the provision that empowers INEC to deregister political parties under specified circumstances.

The forum argued that several political parties had allegedly failed to comply with constitutional and statutory requirements necessary for their continued existence under the Constitution and the Electoral Act. It consequently asked the Federal High Court to compel INEC to deregister the affected parties.

The Federal High Court upheld the suit, a decision that prompted the affected political parties to approach the Court of Appeal, insisting that the trial court misapplied the law and reached an erroneous conclusion.

Tuesday’s proceedings marked the conclusion of arguments before the appellate court, with all parties now awaiting its decision, which is expected to clarify the scope of INEC’s powers under Section 225A of the Constitution and the legal thresholds governing the deregistration of political parties in Nigeria.

The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications for Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. A decision either affirming or setting aside the Federal High Court’s judgment will likely shape future interpretation of constitutional provisions relating to the registration and continued existence of political parties.

… Court of Appeal Reserves Judgment in Deregistration Appeal by Five Political Parties Against INEC … Naijaonpoint.