The Court of Appeal has nullified the judgment of the Federal High Court that upheld the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court held that the lower court erred in affirming the deregistration of the affected political parties.
The court ruled that INEC lacked the constitutional powers to deregister the parties under the circumstances that led to the earlier decision, thereby setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court.
The ruling effectively restores the legal status of the ADC and the four other affected political parties, marking a significant development in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The appellate court’s decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for political party regulation and the interpretation of INEC’s constitutional powers ahead of future elections.
More details to follow…
