A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties: the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The ruling was delivered despite the existence of a prior Court of Appeal order directing the trial judge to stay proceedings pending the determination of an appeal. The Federal High Court's decision has intensified concerns over conflicting judicial pronouncements and the perceived erosion of judicial hierarchy in Nigeria. The National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) have previously raised alarms about such inconsistencies, yet similar incidents continue to occur.
Instances of lower courts acting in defiance of superior court orders have become increasingly common, contributing to confusion and weakening public trust in the judiciary. The situation is further complicated by litigants selectively interpreting court rulings to suit their interests, rather than adhering to the full scope of judgments. This practice was recently observed in the aftermath of a Supreme Court decision involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where stakeholders, including INEC, advanced conflicting readings of the judgment. Even after the Certified True Copy of the ruling was issued, parties focused on isolated sections that supported their positions. Judicial overreach—where courts make rulings on issues not raised by litigants—has also raised concerns about procedural fairness and the boundaries of judicial authority.
The Federal High Court issued a binding order on INEC while a Court of Appeal had already directed a stay on the same matter, exposing a breakdown in judicial discipline. This creates uncertainty for INEC and the affected parties, who now face conflicting directives from different courts. When courts of coordinate jurisdiction deliver contradictory rulings, compliance becomes impossible and the rule of law is undermined. The NJC has repeatedly warned against such trends but no concrete action has followed.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
