The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified a Federal High Court judgment that previously ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five opposition political parties. The appellate panel, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction and that the plaintiffs, the National Forum of Former Legislators, lacked the legal standing to file the suit. The decision restores the registration status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), confirming their eligibility to participate in the 2027 general elections and other upcoming polls. The court also criticised the trial judge for proceeding with the case despite a subsisting stay of proceedings order.