Odita Sunday 
HURIWA Faults Court Order on Deregistration of Political Parties, Warns of Threat to Democracy
By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, describing the decision as a grave threat to constitutional democracy, judicial discipline, and Nigeria’s multiparty system.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed concern that the judgment reportedly came despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal directing a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.
The rights group specifically identified the affected parties as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
According to HURIWA, “If properly established, such disregard of a superior court order represents a serious constitutional infraction and an affront to the doctrine of judicial hierarchy.”
The association described as disturbing allegations that despite the appellate court’s directive, the trial court allegedly proceeded to hear and determine the matter.
”HURIWA finds it particularly disturbing that despite the existence of an appellate court order brought to the attention of the trial court, proceedings were allegedly continued to conclusion, culminating in a far-reaching judgment capable of altering Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement read.
The group further expressed concern over what it termed recurring controversies involving politically sensitive matters before the Federal High Court.
”The Federal High Court has increasingly been embroiled in controversies involving politically sensitive disputes, raising public apprehension about the neutrality and independence of certain judicial interventions in opposition party matters.”
HURIWA recalled previous decisions of the Court of Appeal cautioning against judicial overreach in political disputes, particularly in matters involving party leadership tussles.
Quoting the appellate court, the association noted: “It is trite law that oral evidence cannot be used to contradict, alter, add to or vary the contents of a valid and unambiguous document.”
The rights body emphasized that settled legal principles and judicial precedents should not be undermined by contradictory lower court decisions.
The statement also referenced submissions by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and other stakeholders regarding judicial pronouncements affirming the legal status of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
HURIWA described the judgment as “a legal aberration, totally fallacious in reasoning, and dangerous in its implications for constitutional governance.”
It posed critical questions regarding the timing of the judgment.
”Why the haste to deliver such a consequential judgment when the Court of Appeal is already seized of the matter and has fixed a hearing date? Why proceed in the face of a reported subsisting stay of proceedings?”
The association warned that judicial actions perceived as targeting opposition parties ahead of elections could undermine democratic institutions and public confidence in the judiciary.
Consequently, HURIWA called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the judgment.
”The NJC must act without delay to preserve the integrity, independence, and credibility of the judiciary.”
The association maintained that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and should never become “an instrument of political engineering or partisan advantage.”
According to HURIWA, “Nigeria’s democracy depends on strict adherence to the rule of law, respect for superior court orders, and fidelity to constitutional processes.”
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