* No more legal hurdles ahead of 2027 polls — Atiku
* ‘Victory belongs to loyal party members,’ says Gov Adeleke
* ‘Judgment is triumph for democracy, rule of law,’ APP counsel
By Teddy Nwanunobi and Ahmed Akanbi
Relief came the way of members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) on Tuesday, following judgement by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which voided the Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed described the lower court’s ruling as a “judicial error” and declared it null and void.
Lifu of the Federal High Court had directed INEC to deregister them, citing their performance in the 2023 general elections.
Dissatisfied with the order, the parties approached the appellate court seeking to overturn the judgment.
The Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place.
It further ruled that the trial judge acted wrongly by proceeding to deliver judgment despite an existing order from the Court of Appeal directing a stay of proceedings.
The panel described the action as “judicial impertinence” and “judicial insubordination,” adding that the first respondent also lacked the legal standing to institute the case.
The court said evidence showed that the requirements under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution for deregistering political parties had been complied with. It therefore declared the lower court’s judgment perverse and set it aside.
In its reaction, the media office of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, declared that the ADC has no pending legal impediment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Atiku’s media office described the appellate court’s verdict as a significant victory for democracy, constitutional order and the rule of law.
According to the statement, the judgment, together with an earlier Federal High Court ruling affirming the election of the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee, has resolved all legal disputes relating to the ADC’s leadership and legal status.
It stated that with both judgments in place, there is no suit pending against the party’s leadership, paving the way for its full participation in the 2027 polls.
The media office commended the Justices of the Court of Appeal for their courage and commitment to justice, saying the judgment reaffirmed the judiciary’s role as guardian of constitutional democracy.
The statement said the Court of Appeal held that the June 15 judgment by Justice Peter Lifu was a nullity because it was delivered despite an existing order staying proceedings.
It added that the appellate court ruled that the respondents lacked legal standing to institute the suit and described their claims as speculative.
The court also clarified Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, holding that it should be interpreted disjunctively and that the suit was filed prematurely as the Osun and Ekiti election cycles were still ongoing.
The statement further said the trial court ignored affidavit evidence from INEC confirming that ADC and the other affected parties had complied with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Describing the ruling as a victory beyond the ADC, the media office said the judgment strengthened democratic competition and cautioned against using courts to undermine political opposition.
“As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, electoral contests should be decided by the votes of Nigerians rather than through politically motivated litigation,” it said.
Also retracting to the judgement, the Osun State Governor and the Accord Party’s candidate for the August 15 governorship election, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, congratulated members and supporters of the party across Osun State and Nigeria.
Adeleke described the judgment as a resounding victory for democracy, constitutional order and the rule of law, noting that it has permanently laid to rest the uncertainty and fear deliberately created around the existence of the Accord as a political party.
He acknowledged that many members had lived in suspense over the legal challenge and the desperate attempt to undermine the party through the courts.
He, however, expressed gratitude that justice has prevailed and that the Court of Appeal has reaffirmed the constitutional safeguards guiding the regulation of political parties, leaving no doubt whatsoever about the Accord’s legal status and participation in the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke urged members of the party not to be distracted by the failed attempts of political opponents to create confusion ahead of the election, but instead to channel their energy towards intensive grassroots mobilization and voter engagement.
”The only hurdle placed on our path by those who wished to create an empty goalpost for themselves has now been crushed. This victory belongs to the people of Osun State and every loyal member of our great party who remained steadfast despite the campaign of fear and uncertainty.
”I congratulate every Accord member for keeping faith. Let no one entertain any doubt. Our party is strong, united and fully prepared for the August 15 election.
”Now is the time to intensify our mobilisation efforts across every polling unit, ward, and community. Let us remain focused and deliver an even more convincing victory at the polls,” Adeleke stated.
The Governor reiterated that the Accord remains firmly on course for victory, expressing absolute confidence that the people of Osun State will overwhelmingly renew his mandate based on his administration’s record of people-centered governance, infrastructure development and inclusive leadership.
He assured members and supporters that no force can derail the collective resolve of the people to sustain the ongoing progress across the state, urging all party leaders, youths, women and supporters to remain united, peaceful and committed to securing a successful and resounding re-election victory on August 15.
Counsel to the Action Peoples Party (APP), Barr Peter Abang, while reacting to the judgement, said the judgment was a triumph for democracy and the rule of law.
“It reinforces that the hierarchy of courts must be respected. No lower court has the authority to disregard orders of a superior court,” he said.
The leadership of the party in Imo State, hailed the Court of Appeal’s ruling and expressed profound appreciation to the court for its landmark judgment setting aside the Federal High Court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the APP and four other political parties.
In a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Owerri by the State Publicity Secretary, Steve Nnadi, the party described the unanimous decision of the appellate court as a triumph for democracy, constitutional order, the rule of law, and Nigeria’s multi party democratic system.
According to the statement, the judgment has reaffirmed the independence of the judiciary and restored public confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions.
The party commended the Justices of the Court of Appeal for their courage, impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice by declaring the earlier judgment a nullity and restoring the legal status of the affected political parties.
The APP leadership noted that the judgment has further strengthened the confidence of its members, supporters, and stakeholders across the state, reaffirming that the party remains legally recognised and fully prepared to participate in all electoral processes leading to the 2027 general elections.
The party, therefore, called on all its members across the 27 local government areas of Imo State to remain united, focused, disciplined, and committed to the collective responsibility of building a stronger and more formidable political platform.
It urged party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation, expand membership, promote voter education, and strengthen the party’s structures in readiness for the elections.
The leadership also appealed to the people of Imo State to remain steadfast in their confidence, belief, and continued support for the APP.
It assured the electorate that the APP remains committed to providing purposeful leadership, promoting good governance, ensuring accountability, and delivering people centred policies that will enhance sustainable development across the state and Nigeria.
The party expressed confidence in its growing acceptance among the electorate and reaffirmed its determination to field credible candidates for elective offices in 2027.
It stated that, with the continued support of the people and the dedication of its members, the Action Peoples Party is well positioned to record significant victories in the forthcoming general elections.
The Imo State APP leadership urged all members and supporters to remain resolute, law abiding, and committed to the ideals of the party, while working collectively towards building a better future for Imo State and Nigeria.