The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the judgment of the Federal High Court that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
In a unanimous decision, the appellate court held that the forum of former lawmakers that instituted the suit lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to challenge the registration of the political parties.
The court consequently declared the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court null and void, setting it aside in its entirety.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Abba Bello ruled that the suit filed by the former legislators was incompetent, stressing that they had no legal basis to institute the action.
The appellate court also awarded a cost of N1 million against the former lawmakers who filed the suit.
The ruling effectively restores the legal status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and the other affected political parties, bringing an end to the Federal High Court’s earlier order for their deregistration.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that the Appeal Court’s decision on Tuesday means victor for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of ADC ahead of 2027 elections.
