The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has adjourned the hearing of an appeal challenging the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties to July 7, 2026.

The matter, initially scheduled for hearing on June 25, was postponed to allow parties in the case to file and exchange their briefs of argument ahead of substantive proceedings.

At Thursday’s sitting, counsel to the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), informed the three-member panel that the record of appeal and the Federal High Court’s judgment had only recently been transmitted to the appellate court. He subsequently requested a short adjournment to enable all parties to complete the necessary filings.

The application was not opposed, prompting the presiding judge, Justice Abubakar Mohammed, to fix July 7 for the hearing. The court noted that some members of the panel would be away on official assignments next week.

The appeal stems from a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party.

Justice Lifu ruled that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration, including electoral performance thresholds outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution. He also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the parties or accepting candidates nominated by them for future elections.

However, on June 16, the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of the judgment, preventing INEC from enforcing the deregistration pending the determination of the appeal.

In its ruling, the appellate court criticised the lower court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier order directing that proceedings be suspended. The panel described the action as a violation of judicial hierarchy and granted the application to halt enforcement of the judgment.

The National Forum of Former Legislators had initiated the suit, arguing that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional benchmarks, including winning elective seats or securing a minimum percentage of votes in elections.

INEC opposed the suit, maintaining that the parties had won seats in previous elections and submitted evidence, including certificates of return, to support its position. The appeal is expected to determine whether the deregistration order will stand.