The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to pause a judgment that orders the deregistration of five political parties.
The five political parties facing the ban are: ADC (African Democratic Congress), APP (Action Peoples Party), AA (Action Alliance), AP (Accord Party), and ZLP (Zenith Labour Party)
INEC said a higher court had already ordered a halt to the case on May 22. They were surprised that the high court judge still gave a ruling.
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INEC told the court they were never officially told about the judgment. They only found out about it through news reports.
Lawyers warn that banning these parties right now could ruin by-elections planned for six states on June 20.
It would be recalled that a group called the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) started the lawsuit. They argue that these five parties failed to follow Nigeria’s election laws. Under the rules, a party must win at least one seat or get 25% of the votes in at least one state during a presidential election to stay registered.
