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The Court of Appeal sitting 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, in a landmark judgment seen as a significant boost for political participation and democratic inclusion.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, a three-member panel of the appellate court set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had earlier declined the reliefs sought by the political association.

The panel, comprising Justices Banjoko, Abang, and Oyewunmi, held that the LPP was deemed duly registered under Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, effective from December 2025.

According to the court, the effective date of registration took effect 60 days after the party submitted its application to INEC, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The appellate court further ordered INEC to formally issue the party its certificate of registration within 30 days and awarded ₦5 million in damages against the electoral body, alongside ₦500,000 as litigation costs.

The ruling followed an appeal filed by the LPP challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice B.F.M. Nyako.

In its submissions before the court, the party argued that it was among 14 political associations prequalified by INEC from a pool of 171 applicants seeking registration in 2025.

The LPP stated that after paying the mandatory ₦2 million administrative fee, it was issued an access code valid for 30 days to upload required registration documents through INEC’s online portal.

However, the party alleged that INEC blocked its access to the portal before the expiration of the deadline, thereby preventing it from completing the registration process.

Reacting to the judgment, the party’s lead counsel, John Nwobodo, hailed the verdict as a major victory for democracy, 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.

He added that the LPP remained committed to democratic principles, inclusiveness, and expanding political participation across the country.

The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for political associations seeking registration, reinforcing the legal safeguards designed to prevent undue administrative obstacles in Nigeria’s electoral process.