A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Monday in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which challenged the continued recognition of the parties by INEC.
The court directed INEC to remove the African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party from the register of political parties.
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, in which the plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether INEC had a constitutional obligation to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy performance thresholds outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and relevant INEC regulations.
According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties failed to meet constitutional benchmarks, including securing at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective seat at the federal, state or local government level.
The former legislators argued that the parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure representation across key levels of government. They maintained that the continued recognition of the parties was inconsistent with constitutional provisions and weakened the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that INEC should deregister the parties for breaching the constitutional requirements governing political party registration and operations.
The court also granted an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities, including campaigns, rallies and primary elections.
Furthermore, the court barred INEC from recognising or conducting official business with the parties pending compliance with the judgment.
The ruling could have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections, although the affected parties may still challenge the decision at the appellate courts.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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