Court Nullifies APP Congresses Nationwide Over Pending Deregistration Suit

By Osaro Igbinovia

A Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, has on Wednesday annulled all congresses conducted by the Action People’s Party (APP) across Nigeria, from the ward to the state levels. The ruling followed an ex parte motion brought before the court by Mr. Ikenna Anyanwu, who joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APP, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents in the suit.Delivering judgment, Justice Hamza Mohammed held that the congresses were conducted in violation of the doctrine of sub judice, as the question of the party’s deregistration remains before the court.

The judge emphasized that proceeding with such activities while litigation is ongoing undermines judicial authority and due process.Justice Mohammed further described the matter of APP’s deregistration as weighty, citing serious allegations of fraud surrounding its continued existence.

He warned that allowing the party to operate as a legitimate entity in the midst of unresolved legal questions could pose a significant threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.The court also revisited the circumstances surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) actions in February 2020, when the APP was initially listed among deregistered political parties. According to the ruling, INEC later claimed that a court order had halted the deregistration, a position that has since been discredited as unfounded.

The judgment could have far-reaching implications for the party’s future and for electoral administration in Nigeria. The case is expected to continue in court, where a final determination on the APP’s legal status will ultimately shape the validity of its operations and participation in the country’s democratic process.