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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal, which set aside in its entirety the judgment of the Federal High Court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.
The party described the appellate court’s decision as a complete vindication of its position that the suit lacked merit and that the proceedings were fundamentally flawed in law, unsupported by credible evidence and incapable of sustaining a valid judgment.
The ADC, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, noted the Court of Appeal’s finding that the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, introduced or “concocted” evidence in favour of the plaintiffs despite the absence of such evidence before the court.
The appellate court also faulted the trial court for proceeding in disregard of the directives of a superior court, describing the conduct as judicial indiscipline, impertinence and insubordination.
The party said the findings raise serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial process and the need to ensure that judicial authority is exercised strictly within the bounds of the law and on the basis of evidence properly placed before the court.
The ADC further welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision upholding its contention that the plaintiffs lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action.
In a striking out the case for want of jurisdiction, the appellate court held that the plaintiffs failed to establish any legal interest peculiar to themselves. Rather, they relied on speculative assertions that they had previously contested elections and might seek to do so again in the future—claims the court found insufficient to invoke its jurisdiction.
The Court of Appeal also held that the plaintiffs failed to establish their claims through credible evidence. It reaffirmed that INEC, as the constitutionally empowered regulator of political parties, had presented unchallenged evidence confirming that the ADC satisfied the constitutional and electoral requirements for its continued existence.
The appellate court equally rejected the reasoning of the trial court concerning elected representatives of the ADC.
It would be recalled that, despite affidavit evidence showing that the ADC had produced elected representatives, including three members from Kogi State, the trial court concluded that the affected members had defected to another political party, even though no evidence of such defection was placed before it.
The ADC said the Court of Appeal’s finding that evidence was introduced without any basis in the record went to the heart of the integrity of the judiciary and the administration of justice.
The party noted that this was the second time Justice Lifu had come under severe criticism by a superior court in matters involving the ADC over allegations of disobedience to superior court orders and judicial insubordination.
The party therefore called for appropriate institutional attention to the concerns raised by the appellate court in order to preserve public confidence in the judiciary and protect the integrity of the judicial process.
The ADC also noted that the plaintiffs, who later included the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had relied on an interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution in seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal identified contradictions in the trial court’s interpretation of Section 225A, observing that although the lower court appeared to have accepted the proper constitutional interpretation, it subsequently reached conclusions inconsistent with both the Constitution and the evidence before it.
The Court of Appeal consequently affirmed that the African Democratic Congress satisfied the constitutional threshold for recognition as a political party and remained fully entitled to continue its political activities under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the judgment, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, described the verdict as a triumph not only for the party but also for Nigeria’s democracy, constitutionalism, political pluralism and the rule of law.
Senator Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the judgment had restored confidence in the judiciary and reaffirmed the role of the courts as the last hope of the common man and a dependable guardian of democratic values.
“The verdict is a reassuring reminder that our judiciary can still rise above pressure and protect democracy, political pluralism and the constitutional rights of citizens and political parties,” Senator Mark said.
He described the attempt to deregister the ADC as a direct assault on multiparty democracy and an effort capable of undermining the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in the political process.
The ADC National Chairman commended the Justices of the Court of Appeal for their courage, impartiality and fidelity to justice, noting that their decision had strengthened public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Senator Mark urged all ADC candidates, members and supporters across the country to remain resolute, united and focused on the party’s mission of providing purposeful leadership and good governance.
He said the legal victory should serve as renewed motivation for party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and work towards the success of the ADC in the 2027 general election.
“Our attention now returns fully to building a stronger, more united and people-oriented political platform that will offer Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027. We must remain steadfast, disciplined and committed to the task ahead,” he said.
Senator Mark reaffirmed the ADC’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law and peaceful political engagement, assuring Nigerians that the party would continue to champion policies that promote national unity, security, economic prosperity and justice.
The ADC stressed that the judgment was significant not only because it restored the rights of the affected political parties but also because it reinforced the enduring constitutional principle that judicial authority must be exercised within the bounds of the law, in obedience to superior court orders and on the basis of credible evidence.
The party expressed satisfaction that the Court of Appeal had reaffirmed the supremacy of the rule of law, corrected what it described as a grave miscarriage of justice and protected the constitutional rights of political parties against unlawful interference.
The ADC said its focus remained unchanged: to strengthen the party, deepen democratic participation and offer Nigerians a credible, united and people-oriented alternative ahead of the 2027 general election.
