Amid Deregistration Blues, APP Recalls Supreme Court Verdict Affirming Party Status

The Action Peoples Party (APP) said the Supreme Court had effectively brought to a close the legal battle seeking the deregistration of the party, affirming the party’s constitutional status and clearing the way for its full participation in the upcoming 2027 general election.

It referenced a landmark development for the party, saying the apex court had dismissed Appeal No. SC/CV/248/2026, filed by Mr. Blessing Elujiuba, thereby leaving intact the earlier judgements of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal which held that APP remains a legally recognised political party that has satisfied the constitutional requirements for continued registration and operation.

It said the appeal was struck out on May 12, 2026, by a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice John Inyang Okoro after the appellant formally withdrew the case.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Okoro declared: “This appeal is hereby dismissed having been withdrawn without objection.”

The respondents in the suit were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APP, and the party’s National Chairman, Uche Kingsley Nnadi.

It said the Supreme Court’s decision effectively puts a final seal on a legal challenge that sought to compel INEC to deregister APP on the grounds that it allegedly failed to meet the conditions stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“With the withdrawal and dismissal of the appeal, the Court of Appeal’s substantive findings in favour of APP remain unchallenged and binding.

“In its earlier unanimous judgment, the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri dismissed the appellant’s claims and upheld the decision of the Federal High Court which found that APP had met the constitutional requirements necessary to remain a registered political party.

“The appellate court held that the claimant failed to prove allegations that APP had not won elections or fulfilled the constitutional benchmarks required for political parties.

“Justice Ntong Festus Ntong, who delivered the lead judgement, ruled that APP presented credible and uncontroverted evidence showing that it had won elective positions, including a councillorship seat in Jigawa State and significant victories in Rivers State local government elections.

“The court held that those facts fundamentally weakened the appellant’s argument that APP had failed to satisfy constitutional conditions for continued existence.

“The appellate court further endorsed the position of INEC and APP that the provisions of Section 225A of the Constitution must be interpreted disjunctively, meaning that meeting any of the stipulated requirements is sufficient to sustain a party’s registration.

“The judges unanimously concluded that there was no legal basis for APP’s deregistration.

“Justice Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye described the appeal as “completely bereft of merit,” while Justice Mohammed Lawal Abubakar agreed that the challenge lacked merit and deserved dismissal,” the party.

APP, in a statement on Wednesday signed by its national chairman Nnadi, spoke against the backdrop of the latest move to resurrect the matter by another Festival High Court presided by Justice Peter Lifu.

“For APP and its supporters, the ruling represents the end of a prolonged legal contest and a decisive judicial confirmation that the party remains a lawful political platform entitled to appear on the ballot in the 2027 general elections,” he added.