Jun 15, 2026

Court of Appeal Ruling Undermines ADC Deregistration Verdict- Adekolu

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Ado Ekiti- June 15, 2026- A senior figure within the African Democratic Congress has dismissed the recent Federal High Court judgment concerning the party’s attempted deregistration, insisting that an earlier appellate court decision has already settled the matter and cannot be overridden.

Chief Dare Adekolu, the Deputy Chairman of the African Democratic Congress in Ekiti State, stated that the Federal High Court ruling delivered today on the controversy surrounding the party’s status amounts to what he described as a “legal exercise with no practical consequence.”

According to him, the judgment does not align with the binding position already established by the Court of Appeal.

Adekolu maintained that the appellate court’s pronouncement remains superior in the hierarchy of judicial decisions and therefore takes precedence over any conflicting lower court interpretation.

He argued that any attempt to enforce or rely on the Federal High Court’s position would not withstand scrutiny under established legal principles guiding judicial hierarchy in Nigeria.

He further stressed that the matter of the party’s legitimacy had already been addressed at a higher judicial level, making further attempts to revisit or reinterpret the issue unnecessary and legally unsustainable.

In his view, the latest ruling does not alter the existing legal framework governing the status of the party.

The development adds another layer to the ongoing legal and political debate surrounding the attempted deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, which has faced varying interpretations in different courts.

The contrasting decisions have continued to generate discussions among legal observers and political stakeholders, particularly regarding the finality of appellate court judgments in Nigeria’s judicial system.

Legal analysts note that disputes of this nature often hinge on the doctrine of hierarchy of courts, where decisions of higher courts are binding on lower courts.

This principle is central to ensuring consistency and order within the judicial process, especially in politically sensitive cases involving party recognition and electoral participation.

While the Federal High Court ruling has attracted attention, the ADC leadership appears confident that the appellate court’s earlier position will ultimately guide the final outcome should the matter progress further in the judicial system.

For now, the disagreement underscores the continuing tension between competing court interpretations, leaving the final resolution dependent on further legal clarification or higher judicial determination.