Following the Court of Appeal’s decision to reverse the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and four other parties on Monday, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark stated the judiciary is on trial and warned the Federal Government against political manipulation.
Stakeholders also called for sanctions against Justice Peter Lifu for flouting a superior court order, as the ADC assures supporters they will remain on the ballot.
Political parties and stakeholders affected by the Federal High Court’s controversial deregistration order welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the judgment.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered a stay of execution of the judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party, while delivering a stinging rebuke to Justice Lifu for flouting a May 22 appellate court order restraining him from delivering the ruling.
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed condemned Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for flouting a May 22 order that directed him to suspend proceedings before him, describing his conduct as the gravest form of judicial misconduct.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the panel held.
The appellate court went further, invoking a Supreme Court precedent to characterise Justice Lifu’s conduct in the harshest terms.
“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 declared, adding that the Supreme Court had previously held that a judge who acted in such a manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality.”
The court said it had a duty to assert its supervisory authority over lower courts and protect the integrity of the judicial hierarchy.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This court has supervisory authority over the trial court. This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are obeyed. The application for stay of execution is hereby granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the panel ruled.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Lifu, had on Monday ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party, ruling that the five parties failed to meet the constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, specifically, requirements related to securing at least 25 per cent of votes in certain states or winning seats in the 2023 general elections.
Earlier in Tuesday’s proceedings, INEC told the appellate court it was stunned by Justice Lifu’s decision to deliver the judgment, disclosing that the commission only learned of the ruling through media reports rather than any official notification.
INEC’s lead counsel, Mr Haliru Mohammed, told the panel that the commission had been aware of the appellate court’s May 22 order restraining the lower court from delivering the judgment, which had originally been reserved for June 5.
“We were not aware of any notice from the court regarding the delivery of the judgment. We only saw it as breaking news in the media. We therefore do not oppose the application of the appellant to stay the execution of the judgment,” Mohammed submitted.
The commission also aligned itself with the notice of appeal filed by the affected political parties.
Counsel to the ADC, Mr Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, told the court that Justice Lifu communicated the judgment’s delivery to the party via WhatsApp, a disclosure that drew visible reactions from the bench.
Aruwa described the lower court’s conduct as an invitation to anarchy and urged the appellate court to invoke its disciplinary jurisdiction under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution to sanction the judge.
“The action of the trial judge calls for swift and extraordinary measures from this court. We have come to the stage where this court should press the reset button.
“We urge this court to take disciplinary steps by immediately suspending that judgment. This court has the power to protect its own integrity. We pray this court suspends the judgment immediately without further delay,” he added.
APC reacts
Reacting to the appellate court’s decision, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ruling offered a measure of hope for the judiciary’s credibility, though he was careful not to celebrate unreservedly.
“It indicates that the judiciary may still redeem itself. We are cautiously delighted but we insist that it shouldn’t have happened in the first place,” Abdullahi said in a telephone interview.
He called on the National Judicia…
Read the full article at The Punch →📄Source document: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)→7 reports
The PunchIndependentLeft4 days agoFollowing the Court of Appeal's reversal of the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark criticized the Federal Government, stating the judiciary is under scrutiny and warning against political interference. Stakeholders have called for sanctions against Justice Peter Lifu for violating a superior court order. The Court of Appeal stayed the execution of the Federal High Court's deregistration order and rebuked Justice Lifu for judicial misconduct.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the situation as a victory for the ADC and other parties against perceived government overreach and judicial misconduct. It emphasizes criticism of the Federal Government and highlights the Court of Appeal's rebuke of Justice Lifu, suggesting a critique of executive power and an '
Official sources cited
- court Court of Appeal Decision
- court Federal High Court Order
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentCenter4 days agoFormer Vice President Atiku welcomed an appeal court's decision to stay the execution of a federal high court ruling that sought to deregister the All Progressives Congress (APC) and four other political parties. He emphasized the significance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supporting the application for a stay. Atiku expressed concerns over conflicting judicial decisions and politically sensitive rulings, warning against actions that could weaken democratic institutions and urging the courts to uphold constitutional principles and the rule of law.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Atiku's statements without overtly favoring any political side. It reports his concerns about judicial inconsistencies and calls for upholding constitutional principles, which are neutral positions. The framing remains balanced, with no clear ideological slant evident in the phr
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentLeft5 days agoPeter Ameh, acting national chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has criticized the deregistration of political parties in Nigeria, calling it a threat to democracy. He accused the executive branch of 'hostile rascality' and the judiciary of 'brazen overreach.' Ameh referenced past efforts by opposition groups to resist similar actions in 2019 and urged continued resistance to prevent further erosion of democratic processes.
Bias read (Left): The article presents criticism of executive and judicial actions as threats to democracy, uses strong moral language ('evil', 'hostile rascality'), and quotes a philosophical argument against inaction in the face of injustice. It frames the deregistration of political parties as an attack on plural,
Official sources cited
- organisation Statement by Peter Ameh, Acting National Chairman of CUPP
The PunchIndependentLeft5 days ago SDP presidential candidate faults ADC, Accord deregistration, offers legal assistanceAdewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), criticized the Nigerian government's proposal to deregister certain political parties, calling the action unconstitutional, undemocratic, and harmful to Nigeria's democratic progress. He responded to a recent court ruling that ordered the deregistration of parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party. Adebayo expressed concern over the timing of the decision, which occurred shortly after Nigeria's Democracy Day celebrations.
Bias read (Left): The article presents the views of a left-leaning political figure criticizing government actions as undemocratic and unconstitutional. The framing emphasizes the negative implications of the deregistration orders and aligns with opposition perspectives without providing balanced counterpoints or pro
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentLeft6 days ago ADC deregistration: Atiku fingers Tinubu over plot against oppositionAtiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticized a Federal High Court ruling seeking to deregister the ADC and four other opposition parties. He described the decision as an attack on constitutional democracy and suggested it is part of a broader strategy to suppress political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku highlighted that the court's ruling contradicted a prior stay order from the Court of Appeal.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the court's decision as an 'assault on constitutional democracy' and implies a coordinated effort to eliminate political opposition, suggesting a narrative of suppression by those in power. The language used ('dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics') leans toward a critical
Official sources cited
- court Federal High Court judgment
- court Court of Appeal order (May 22, 2026)
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentLeft6 days ago You’re playing with fire, ADC warns Tinubu govt over deregistration plotThe African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the Nigerian federal government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that their support for legal actions aimed at deregistering the ADC could lead to a political crisis before the 2027 general elections. The ADC argues that such attempts would undermine democracy and political pluralism, emphasizing that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the constitutional authority to register or deregister political parties.
Bias read (Left): The article presents the ADC's perspective, which frames the government's actions as undermining democracy and political pluralism. The language used ('playing with fire,' 'attack on democracy') suggests a critical stance toward the government's approach, aligning with a left-leaning interpretation.
Official sources cited
- court Federal High Court judgment in Abuja
- government Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentCenter6 days ago Deregistration of ADC, others draws backlash as opposition vows legal fightA Nigerian federal high court ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), for failing to meet constitutional requirements. The decision has sparked criticism from opposition figures who warn it could undermine Nigeria's multi-party system and vowed to challenge the ruling legally. The ruling followed a lawsuit by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, who claimed the parties did not meet necessary benchmarks. The move has raised concerns about its impact on upcoming elections.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the court's decision and includes reactions from both the court and opposition figures without overtly favoring one side. It reports on the legal action taken against the parties and the subsequent backlash but does not use biased language or selectively present information to倾斜
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