The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a High Court ruling that directed INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court ruled that the lower court did not have the legal authority to hear the case in the first place.
The suit had accused the parties of not meeting certain constitutional requirements.According to the panel, jurisdiction over matters relating to party registration and deregistration lies elsewhere, and the Abuja High Court overstepped by entertaining the application.
Because of that, the entire decision was declared invalid.With this ruling, the ADC and the other four parties retain their status and can continue to operate as recognized political associations. INEC is also not bound by the earlier order to remove them from its register.
The decision brings to an end the immediate threat of deregistration and allows the affected parties to participate fully in political activities going forward.
