INEC Moves to Halt Enforcement of Court Order Deregistering ADC, Four Other Parties

By Anas Abbas

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking an order to suspend the implementation of a Federal High Court judgment that directed the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

At a hearing before a three-member panel of the appellate court on Tuesday, INEC expressed support for applications filed by the affected parties challenging the lower court’s decision.

The electoral body argued that it was unaware the judgment would be delivered, insisting that an earlier order of the Court of Appeal had halted the planned delivery of the ruling.

Counsel representing INEC told the court that the commission only became aware of the judgment through media reports, maintaining that no formal notice was issued regarding its delivery.

The commission therefore backed requests for a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

Lawyers representing the ADC also faulted the ruling, describing it as a threat to judicial order and urging the appellate court to intervene. The party’s legal team argued that the lower court proceeded despite being aware of an order suspending the judgment, and called on the Court of Appeal to take urgent steps to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.

Other affected parties warned that enforcing the judgment could create uncertainty ahead of upcoming by-elections scheduled in several states. They urged the appellate court to prevent possible disruptions by suspending the implementation of the ruling while the appeal is being considered.

The Court of Appeal was still receiving submissions from parties involved in the matter at the time of filing this report. The case follows a Federal High Court judgment ordering INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements.