By Kingston Magare 16.6.2026
Relief came the way of political parties affected by a Federal High Court Abuja order prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove them from the list of eligible parties to contest the 2027 elections.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal Tuesday tossed the FHC order issued by presiding judge Justice Peter Lifu, by ordering a stay of execution based on an appeal filed by the Accord Party, one of the affected parties. Others include African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Peoples Party (APP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), for failing to win any electoral seat in the 2023 general elections.
Reacting, the three-member panel who took turns to lambast Justice Lifu, for his disregard for the orders of the appellate court, subsequently ordered a stay of the execution of the judgement directing the de-registration of the affected parties.
The panel of justices held that Justice Lifu exhibited judicial rascality by going ahead to hear and make the order despite the order of the Court of Appeal and the pendency of the matter before the court.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court. The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution.
“The application for a stay of execution is here yet granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the appellate court held.