The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed approval of the Court of Appeal’s decision to put a hold on a Federal High Court ruling that called for the removal of the ADC and four other political parties from the register.
A statement shared on his X account highlighted that the appellate court’s directive represents a welcome turn of events. Atiku noted the particular importance of the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) itself moved to secure the stay.
Earlier, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an order on Monday compelling INEC to strike off the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party. However, the Court of Appeal intervened on Tuesday, suspending that order and thus safeguarding the parties’ registered status for the 2027 general elections.
In his reaction, Atiku also voiced criticism over what he described as conflicting judicial decisions surrounding the case. He cautioned that such inconsistencies place the judiciary under public scrutiny and undermine trust in the legal system.