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Appeal Court Nullifies INEC Deregistration Order, Restores ADC, Accord Party, Three Others

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Appeal Court Nullifies INEC Deregistration Order, Restores ADC, Accord Party, Three Others

Appeal Court Nullifies INEC Deregistration Order, Restores ADC, Accord Party, Three Others

Appeal Court overturns Federal High Court judgment, ruling the trial court lacked jurisdiction and acted in “judicial insubordination”

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has delivered a landmark judgment setting aside the Federal High Court order that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and three other political parties. In a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed declared the June 15 judgment of the Federal High Court “null and void,” describing the lower court’s action as “judicial impertinence.” The appellate court restored the legal status of all five affected parties—the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)—clearing the way for their participation in the 2027 general elections.

The appellate court identified multiple fundamental flaws in the trial court’s handling of the case, ranging from jurisdictional errors to procedural violations. The three-member panel meticulously examined each ground of appeal and found that the lower court’s judgment was not only legally unsound but also procedurally improper, warranting its complete nullification.

First, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court wrongly assumed jurisdiction over a fundamentally incompetent suit. The case was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which the Court of Appeal ruled was a “non-juristic entity” lacking the legal capacity (locus standi) to institute the proceedings. The court further emphasized that since there was no valid suit before the Federal High Court, every consequential order made against the affected political parties, including the directive compelling INEC to withdraw their recognition, automatically collapsed. This foundational defect rendered the entire proceedings null and void from the outset.

Second, the appellate court strongly criticised the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, for proceeding to deliver judgment despite a subsisting order from the Court of Appeal directing a stay of proceedings. The panel noted that the trial court acted in defiance of an earlier order made on May 22, which directed it to halt proceedings pending the determination of an appeal. The court declared that what the learned trial court did amounted to judicial impertinence or what the Supreme Court called judicial insubordination. The court further observed that the Supreme Court had previously held that a judge who acts in such a manner is unfit for the bench, as the conduct amounts to judicial rascality.

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Third, the appellate court also ruled that the trial judge failed to properly evaluate crucial evidence placed before him. Documentary evidence showing that the affected political parties had won elective seats in previous elections was ignored before the trial court reached its conclusion. The court noted that the evidence before the court clearly shows compliance with Section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended), and that the judgment of the trial judge was perverse. This failure to consider available evidence undermined the credibility and validity of the lower court’s findings.

Furthermore, the Court of Appeal clarified that the compliance requirements of Section 225A of the Constitution should be interpreted disjunctively, meaning that meeting one of the conditions for continued registration is sufficient. The court also noted that the suit was premature as election cycles in some states were still ongoing when it was filed. This clarification is significant because it establishes a more flexible standard for political parties seeking to maintain their registration with INEC, potentially affecting how the electoral body evaluates party performance in future elections.

The legal battle originated from Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators against INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the five political parties. The plaintiffs had asked the Federal High Court to compel INEC to deregister the ADC, APP, AA, Accord Party, and ZLP, arguing that they failed to satisfy the constitutional conditions required for continued registration under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution.

According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties failed to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during presidential elections or win elective offices at the federal, state, or local government levels. They argued that the parties performed poorly during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections and therefore no longer deserved recognition by INEC. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), supported the plaintiffs’ position before the trial court, arguing that INEC had a constitutional obligation to deregister political parties that no longer met the minimum constitutional requirements.

Justice Peter Lifu accepted those arguments and ordered INEC to immediately deregister the five parties, barring them from participating in the 2027 general elections. However, dissatisfied with the judgment, INEC and all the affected political parties approached the Court of Appeal seeking to have the verdict set aside, setting the stage for Tuesday’s landmark ruling.

The ruling has elicited widespread reactions from political stakeholders, legal practitioners, and civil society organizations, with many hailing it as a victory for democracy and judicial independence. The African Democratic Congress described the ruling as a “watershed moment” for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. In a statement titled “2027: Court of Appeal Clears the Road for ADC,” the party commended the appellate justices for their courage, independence and commitment to justice. The party said the judgment reaffirmed the judiciary’s constitutional role as the final guardian of democratic governance and the rule of law.

According to the ADC, the appellate court correctly ruled that the June 15 judgment was a nullity because it was delivered in violation of an existing order of the Court of Appeal. The ADC also welcomed the court’s finding that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to institute the suit and that their claims were speculative and legally unsustainable. The party further stated that the latest judgment, combined with an earlier Federal High Court ruling affirming the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee, has finally removed every pending legal challenge to the party’s leadership and legal status.

Counsel to the Action Peoples Party (APP), Barr. Peter Abang, expressed satisfaction with the appellate court’s decision, stating that the judgment is a victory for democracy in Nigeria and that in the administration of justice, the hierarchy of Courts in Nigeria must be respected as they establish an unbroken chain of command and no court has the luxury to sit in judgment against the correctness or otherwise of orders of superior courts. The Court of Appeal allowed the separate appeals filed by the political parties and awarded monetary costs of ₦1 million against the National Forum of Former Legislators for filing the incompetent suit.

The Court of Appeal’s decision has significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ruling restores the legal status of the ADC, APP, AA, Accord Party, and ZLP, allowing them to participate fully in the upcoming elections. This means that these parties can now field candidates, mobilize supporters, and contest for elective positions across all levels of government without the legal cloud that had hung over their existence since the June 15 judgment.

The judgment reinforces the principle that INEC must follow due process and cannot deregister political parties based on suits filed by entities lacking legal standing. This protects political parties from frivolous legal challenges that could destabilize their operations and disenfranchise their supporters. The appellate court’s strong criticism of the trial judge for “judicial insubordination” serves as a warning to lower courts to respect judicial hierarchy and appellate orders, reinforcing the importance of procedural compliance in the administration of justice.

Finally, the clarification that Section 225A requirements should be interpreted disjunctively may affect how INEC evaluates political parties’ performance in future elections. This interpretation provides a more lenient standard for political parties to maintain their registration, potentially encouraging political pluralism and competition within Nigeria’s democratic space. As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, this ruling ensures that the political landscape remains inclusive and that no party is unfairly excluded from the democratic process through procedural irregularities or jurisdictional overreach.

Appeal Court Nullifies INEC Deregistration Order, Restores ADC, Accord Party, Three Others

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2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

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September 16, 2026

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2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

Student leaders from tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, promising to mobilise students across campuses in support of his candidacy.

The declaration was made in Kaduna at the inauguration of the Students’ Wing of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a support group created to coordinate student mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The organisers said the students’ position was influenced by policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, particularly in education, student financing, skills development and youth empowerment.

The coordinator of the A4A Students’ Wing and President of the Bayero University Kano Students’ Union Government, Abdulmudallib Sheriff, said the students’ support was intended to translate into an organised mobilisation network rather than remain a symbolic declaration.

Sheriff cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) among the federal government programmes that informed the students’ position, saying the scheme had provided financial support to students facing difficulties funding their tertiary education.

He also pointed to government initiatives in technical and vocational education, skills acquisition and youth development as areas the student leaders considered relevant to young Nigerians.

According to the organisers, the A4A Students’ Wing plans to build a coordinated structure capable of reaching students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the northern region.

The Kaduna inauguration was attended by student union leaders and representatives of tertiary institutions from different parts of Northern Nigeria.

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Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who addressed the gathering, urged the student leaders to base their political engagement on policies and verifiable records rather than personal attacks against political opponents.

Sani highlighted areas including education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and technical and vocational education, while drawing attention to programmes such as NELFUND and federal TVET initiatives.

The student endorsement comes amid increasing political mobilisation across Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.

Several groups in the region have recently announced support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, including organisations representing Muslim women scholars, preachers and Da’wah leaders. Other groups representing communities and youth interests in the North have also held meetings and launched mobilisation activities ahead of the election.

A separate group representing Igbos living in the 19 northern states and the FCT has also expressed support for Tinubu and pledged to mobilise voters for his re-election.

The growing activity reflects efforts by political support groups to build grassroots structures well ahead of the 2027 poll, with youth and student voters expected to remain an important constituency for political parties and candidates.

The Tinubu administration has made NELFUND one of its prominent education initiatives. The programme provides loans and related financial assistance to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions, with the government presenting it as part of efforts to reduce financial barriers to higher education.

The administration has also promoted technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as part of its broader youth skills-development agenda.

However, the endorsement announced in Kaduna represents the position of the participating student leaders and organisations. It does not necessarily reflect the views of all students, tertiary institutions or young people across Northern Nigeria.

The political development also comes as opposition groups and presidential aspirants intensify their own mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition political actors are building structures across the country, while presidential contenders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, are also seeking support ahead of the election.

The student leaders backing Tinubu said their immediate focus would be to extend the A4A Students’ Wing to more campuses and strengthen its mobilisation network across the North.

Their declaration adds to the growing series of political endorsements and campaign activities taking place ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as competing political groups seek to attract young voters and build support at the grassroots.

Ultimately, the endorsement remains a declaration by the participating student organisations, while individual voters will make their choices through the electoral process.

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

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2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

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3 hours ago

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September 16, 2026

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2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit
President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar seven days to serve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order after granting an application for substituted service, allowing Atiku and the ADC to serve the President through his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was instituted by Atiku and the ADC against Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Atiku is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu is qualified to participate in the 2027 presidential election based on allegations concerning an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted to INEC.

According to the plaintiffs, the disputed certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which they contend raises questions about its authenticity and its connection with the President. Atiku’s case also alleges that the document was presented to INEC as genuine and raises questions about information contained in the electoral documents submitted by Tinubu.

The allegations remain claims before the court and have not been established by a final judgment.

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The plaintiffs are relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution relating to the presentation of forged certificates to INEC. They are seeking, among other reliefs, orders that would prevent Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the basis of the allegations contained in the suit.

The latest ruling followed a procedural dispute over how the President should be served with the court processes.

When the matter came up earlier in September, Atiku’s lawyers told the court that they had been unable to personally serve Tinubu. Although counsel representing Tinubu indicated that he was prepared to accept service on behalf of his client, the plaintiffs declined, saying they wanted to avoid possible technical objections concerning the validity of service at a later stage.

The court subsequently allowed the issue to be addressed through substituted service.

Justice Ekwo had earlier adjourned proceedings to September 28 following the service dispute. The judge also warned lawyers involved in the case against discussing the matter in the traditional or social media, directing that arguments concerning the case should be presented in court.

Meanwhile, Tinubu and the APC have rejected the allegations and asked the Federal High Court to dismiss the suit.

In their response, the President and the APC denied that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to INEC for either the 2023 or 2027 presidential elections. They also questioned the legal foundation of Atiku and the ADC’s action and raised preliminary objections to the case.

The defendants have argued that the disputed certificate has not been established as forged and that the NYSC has not disowned the document at the centre of the controversy.

They have therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit rather than proceed to the substantive claims.

INEC has also challenged Atiku’s case and opposed aspects of the plaintiffs’ application to amend their suit. The electoral commission has raised procedural and legal objections, including arguments concerning the competence of the action and the plaintiffs’ standing.

The case has consequently developed into a series of preliminary procedural and legal disputes even before the court determines the central allegations surrounding the disputed NYSC certificate.

Atiku and the ADC maintain that the alleged certificate and information submitted to INEC raise constitutional questions concerning Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.

Tinubu and the APC, however, deny the allegations and are seeking the dismissal of the case, while INEC has also opposed the action.

The Federal High Court’s latest decision is limited to the method and timeframe for serving Tinubu with the court processes.

It does not constitute a ruling that Tinubu is ineligible to contest the 2027 election, nor does it establish that the disputed NYSC certificate is forged.

The substantive claims, alongside the objections raised by Tinubu, the APC and INEC, remain before the court for determination.

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

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“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

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8 hours ago

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September 16, 2026

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Osun Poll: Fayose Says Federal Might Could Have Swayed Result If Deployed
“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

On Channels Television, the former Ekiti governor says tensions over the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ will not hurt President Tinubu’s 2027 prospects.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has weighed in on the sharp exchange between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, characterizing the disagreement as a battle of individual egos rather than a genuine threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Speaking Tuesday night during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Fayose noted that public friction often surfaces when assertive leaders navigate complex multi-party arrangements.

The spat erupted after Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, speaking for the APC Governors’ Forum, announced that party executives would reject any outside alliance or coalition capable of diluting the party’s strength or challenging its candidates in upcoming elections.

Wike responded swiftly during a televised broadcast, describing the governors as politically lazy and clarifying that his “Rainbow Coalition” was created specifically to mobilize cross-party votes for the president rather than fight local battles on behalf of state governors.

Addressing the controversy, Fayose remarked that everyday Nigerians understand Wike’s outspoken personality just as they understand the institutional posture of the Governors’ Forum.

He insisted that the rhetorical crossfire has no direct bearing on the president’s electoral fortunes, observing that political leaders across the spectrum possess strong personal pride that occasionally spills into public view. Fayose maintained that practical grassroots voter mobilization will ultimately outweigh public posturing as the 2027 race draws nearer.

 

“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

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