The Court of Appeal has halted the execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, sparking fresh debates over judicial integrity and political interference.
In a unanimous ruling delivered on Tuesday, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice A.B. Mohammed stayed the implementation of the lower court’s decision and criticised Justice Peter Lifu for proceeding with the judgment despite an earlier order from the Court of Appeal directing him to suspend proceedings.
The appellate court described the action as a violation of judicial hierarchy and cited Supreme Court precedents which classify such conduct as judicial misconduct.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is the highest form of judicial impertinence,” the panel ruled.
The controversy began after Justice Lifu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party over their alleged failure to meet constitutional performance requirements.
However, during Tuesday’s proceedings, INEC disclosed that it only became aware of the judgment through media reports and had not been officially informed. The electoral commission aligned itself with the appeal filed by the affected parties and did not oppose the request for a stay of execution.
Reacting to the development, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said it was not his party but the judiciary that was facing public scrutiny.
“The ADC is not on trial. Rather, it is the judiciary that is on trial and the nation is waiting to see how the National Judicial Council will handle this situation,” he said during the party’s Strategic Communications Retreat in Abuja.
Mark questioned how a judge could deliver a ruling in defiance of an order from a superior court and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to distract opposition parties.
He urged party members to remain calm and confident, insisting that the ADC would emerge stronger from the legal battle.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision, describing it as a positive development and warning against attempts to undermine democracy through judicial manipulation.
“The judiciary itself is now on trial,” Atiku said, adding that history would hold accountable anyone who sought to weaken democratic institutions through the courts.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ruling offered hope that the judiciary could still redeem itself, while calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to discipline judges whose actions damage public confidence in the institution.
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APP National Leader, Ikenga Ugochinyere, described the appellate court’s decision as a victory for democracy and urged the NJC to “weed out controversial judges” whose conduct threatens the credibility of the judicial system.
The controversy has also drawn the attention of civil society groups. The Tap Initiative for Citizens’ Development announced that it had petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, demanding an investigation into Justice Lifu’s actions.
The group argued that the issue raises serious constitutional and procedural concerns and warned that disregard for appellate orders could erode public trust in the courts.
Meanwhile, opposition figures and party leaders have continued to accuse the APC-led government of using state institutions to weaken rival political platforms ahead of future elections.
Despite the legal tussle, the affected parties have assured their members and supporters that they remain legally recognised and will participate in future elections while pursuing all available legal remedies.
