The Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
In a unanimous ruling delivered today (Tuesday, June 16, 2026), a three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice A.B. Mohammed, granted a stay of execution pending the determination of appeals challenging the lower court’s decision.
The appellate court also faulted Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for proceeding to deliver judgment despite an earlier order issued by the Court of Appeal on May 22 directing a halt to proceedings in the matter.
Describing the action as a violation of the judicial hierarchy, the court held that the trial judge’s conduct amounted to a disregard for the authority of the appellate court.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of courts and the provisions of the Constitution,” the panel held.
Consequently, the court granted the application for a stay of execution, effectively suspending the enforcement of the judgment.
The Federal High Court had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), citing their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
Justice Lifu had also restrained INEC from recognising the affected parties, accepting nominations from them, or allowing them to participate in preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The suit was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the parties failed to meet the electoral performance benchmarks stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the plaintiffs, the parties neither secured the minimum electoral thresholds nor won elective seats at the national, state, or local government levels in recent elections.
However, with the appellate court’s ruling, the status quo remains pending the final determination of the appeal.
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