Atiku Welcomes Appeal Court’s Stay of Judgment on ADC Deregistration

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal to stay the execution of a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party.

However, the Court of Appeal on Tuesday granted a stay of execution of the judgment, temporarily preserving the registration status of the affected parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting in a statement posted on his X handle, the former Vice President described the appellate court’s intervention as a positive development.

“I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the Federal High Court judgment seeking the deregistration of our great party, the ADC, and four other political parties. It is particularly significant that INEC itself initiated the application for the stay,” he wrote.

Atiku also criticised what he described as contradictions in judicial pronouncements relating to the ongoing legal dispute, warning that such developments place the judiciary under public scrutiny.

He stressed the need for consistency in judicial decisions, particularly in matters affecting the country’s democratic process and multiparty system.

The former Vice President maintained that political pluralism remains essential to Nigeria’s democracy and urged stakeholders to safeguard democratic institutions.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling means that the affected political parties will retain their legal status pending the determination of the substantive appeal.

The development comes amid growing political activities and preparations by parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.