Court of Appeal Orders INEC to Register Liberation People’s Party Within 30 Days
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Liberation People’s Party (LPP) as a political party and issue its certificate of registration within 30 days.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, a three‑member panel of Justices Banjoko, Abang, and Oyewunmi unanimously overturned the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had dismissed the party’s application. The appellate court held that the LPP was deemed duly registered under Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, effective from December 2025—being 60 days after the party submitted its application to INEC.
In addition to ordering registration, the court awarded N5 million in damages against INEC and N500,000 as costs of litigation. The decision followed an appeal filed by the LPP against the judgment of Justice B.F.M. Nyako of the Federal High Court.
The party had argued that although it was among 14 associations prequalified by INEC from 171 applicants in 2025, its access to the commission’s online portal was blocked before the expiration of the 30‑day deadline, preventing completion of the registration process despite payment of the mandatory N2 million fee.
The Court of Appeal held that the circumstances entitled the LPP to recognition as a duly registered political party under the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the ruling, lead counsel Barrister John Nwobodo described the judgment as a victory for democracy, justice, and the rule of law, affirming the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. He assured that the LPP remains committed to democratic values, inclusiveness, and broad political participation.
