The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has welcomed the Court of Appeal decision suspending political parties deregistration for five groups including ADC, describing it as a victory for democracy and judicial hierarchy in Nigeria

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party on Tuesday warmly welcomed the Court of Appeal decision in Abuja to suspend execution of a Federal High Court judgment that had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister five political parties.

Justice A.B. Mohammed, leading a three-member panel of the appellate court, halted implementation of the ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The lower court had ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party for allegedly failing to meet constitutional electoral performance thresholds.

Obiora Ifoh, factional National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, addressed journalists in Abuja and praised the appellate intervention.

“The Appeal Court has done the right thing,” Ifoh stated. He criticised the timing and approach of the lower court ruling, noting that Justice Lifu proceeded despite a subsisting order from the Court of Appeal restraining further action.

The development provides timely respite for the affected parties, many of which had already conducted primaries, sold nomination forms and fielded candidates in line with electoral timelines.

It also underscores ongoing tensions over the enforcement of Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution regarding party performance standards.

Ifoh expressed deeper concerns about judicial consistency, particularly as the Labour Party had previously been impacted by rulings from the same trial judge.

“We in the Labour Party are the worst hit by the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu,” he remarked, while expressing hope that the Supreme Court would ultimately deliver justice.

This latest twist forms part of a broader pattern of legal battles shaping Nigeria’s multiparty democracy since the 2023 general elections.

Previous attempts to streamline the political landscape by deregistering underperforming parties have sparked debates about inclusivity, voter choice and the vibrancy of opposition politics.

The Court of Appeal sharply criticised the trial court’s conduct as a serious breach of judicial hierarchy, reinforcing the constitutional responsibility of appellate courts to maintain discipline within the system.

Counsel to INEC informed the panel that the commission was equally surprised by the lower court’s decision to proceed.

For now, the affected parties retain their legal status pending full determination of the appeals.

The ruling offers breathing space for political actors and candidates already deeply engaged in preparations for future contests, while highlighting the delicate balance between regulatory oversight and democratic participation in Nigeria’s complex electoral environment.