The Court of Appeal in Makurdi has declared the African Alliance Party (AAP) a duly recognized political entity in Nigeria. The judgment, delivered on Thursday, mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of registration to the party without delay.
Rev. Peters Olusegun Iyaobaje, the party’s National Chairman, announced the ruling in a statement. He highlighted that the appellate court’s decision stemmed from INEC’s failure to contest AAP’s registration eligibility within the constitutionally stipulated 90-day period. The court emphasized that this timeline is mandatory, not optional, and INEC’s inaction cannot be used to deny any association its right to registration.
According to Iyaobaje, the judgment reaffirms the rule of law and strengthens Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, especially as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. The court further ordered that INEC and its officials must comply with the registration directive immediately.
This development comes amid ongoing legal efforts to deregister certain opposition parties before the next election cycle.