The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Liberation People’s Party (LPP) as a political party and issue it a certificate of registration within 30 days.
The appellate court also awarded N5 million in damages against INEC and an additional N500,000 as the cost of litigation, marking a major legal victory for the political association.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, overturned an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had refused to grant the reliefs sought by the party.
In a unanimous decision, the panel held that the Liberation People’s Party should be regarded as duly registered under the provisions of Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The justices ruled that the party became legally entitled to registration in December 2025, exactly 60 days after submitting its application to INEC, as provided by law.
The panel, made up of Justices Banjoko, Abang and Oyewunmi, concluded that the electoral commission failed to act within the period stipulated by the Electoral Act and that the circumstances of the case entitled the party to recognition as a registered political party.
The judgment is expected to have significant implications for political associations seeking registration ahead of future elections, particularly as political activities begin to gather momentum toward the 2027 general elections.
The dispute between the Liberation People’s Party and INEC arose from the party’s attempt to secure official registration in 2025.
According to documents presented before the court, the LPP was among 14 political associations that were prequalified by INEC from a total of 171 groups that applied for registration as political parties.
The party stated that after meeting the initial requirements, it paid the mandatory administrative fee of N2 million demanded by the electoral commission.
Following the payment, INEC reportedly issued the association an access code that would enable it upload the required registration documents on the commission’s online registration portal.
The access code was said to have a validity period of 30 days.
However, the party alleged that before the expiration of the deadline, INEC blocked its access to the portal, making it impossible for the association to complete the registration process.
The LPP argued that the action denied it a fair opportunity to fulfil the remaining requirements for registration.
Believing that it had been unfairly treated, the association approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking legal redress.
The case was heard by Justice B.F.M. Nyako of the Federal High Court.
However, the lower court declined to grant the requests made by the party, leading to an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
At the appellate court, the party challenged the Federal High Court’s decision and insisted that INEC’s actions violated the provisions of the Electoral Act.
After reviewing the evidence and arguments presented by both sides, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the LPP.
The court held that the circumstances surrounding the registration process brought the party within the protection of Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The section provides that where INEC fails to communicate its decision on a registration application within the period prescribed by law, the association may be deemed registered.
The appellate court concluded that the party had met the legal conditions necessary to benefit from that provision.
As a result, the court directed INEC to immediately commence the process of issuing the party with its certificate of registration and complete the process within 30 days.
The award of N5 million in damages against the commission was also seen as a strong statement by the court regarding the handling of the registration process.
The ruling has generated interest among political stakeholders, especially groups seeking to expand political participation and provide alternative platforms ahead of future elections.
Nigeria currently operates a multi-party democratic system, with dozens of registered political parties participating in elections at various levels.
Over the years, however, the process of registering new political parties has often generated legal disputes between political associations and the electoral commission.
INEC has repeatedly argued that strict conditions are necessary to ensure that only serious and viable political organisations are registered.
Supporters of broader political participation, on the other hand, have argued that excessive restrictions could limit democratic choices available to voters.
The latest judgment is likely to reignite discussions about political party registration and the balance between regulation and inclusiveness in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Reacting to the court’s decision, lead counsel to the Liberation People’s Party, Barrister John Nwobodo, welcomed the judgment and described it as a victory for democracy.
He praised the Court of Appeal for what he called its commitment to justice and the rule of law.
“We appreciate the Justices of the Court of Appeal for upholding justice and reaffirming the judiciary as the last hope of the common man,” Nwobodo said.
The lawyer said the decision demonstrated that the courts remain an important institution for protecting citizens and organisations from administrative actions considered unfair or unlawful.
He also assured Nigerians that the party would remain committed to democratic principles and national development.
According to him, the Liberation People’s Party intends to provide a platform that promotes inclusiveness, wider political participation and democratic governance.
With preparations for the 2027 electoral cycle gradually taking shape, observers believe that new parties may seek to attract voters dissatisfied with the country’s major political parties.
As of Tuesday evening, INEC had not publicly reacted to the judgment.
However, the commission is expected to study the ruling and take the necessary steps to comply with the court order or determine whether further legal action will be pursued.