The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The court also directed INEC to deregister the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu following a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, the group asked the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional duty to remove political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance requirements outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, alongside provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines.
The plaintiffs argued that the five political parties had consistently failed to satisfy the constitutional conditions required to maintain their registration status.
The former lawmakers argued that the constitutional requirements for political parties include securing at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective position at the national, state, or local government level.
According to them, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the four other affected parties failed to meet these conditions following their performances in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.
They maintained that the parties failed to secure seats across major levels of government, making their continued recognition as political parties unconstitutional and harmful to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare that INEC is constitutionally obligated to deregister parties that fail to meet the required benchmarks.
They also requested an order compelling the commission to deregister the five parties before preparations for the 2027 general elections progress further.
In addition, the plaintiffs urged the court to stop the affected parties from participating in elections or carrying out political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primary elections.
They further sought an injunction preventing INEC from recognising or engaging with the parties officially unless they fully comply with constitutional provisions.
The ruling could have significant political implications, particularly for aspirants seeking to contest future elections on the platforms of the affected parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
BACKSTORY…
The court ruling follows a legal challenge filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators over the continued registration of some political parties in Nigeria.
The group argued that several parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements needed to retain recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly after the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections.
Under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, political parties are expected to meet certain electoral performance benchmarks, including winning a percentage of votes in presidential elections or securing elective seats at different levels of government.
The plaintiffs maintained that the affected parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), failed to satisfy those conditions and should therefore be deregistered.
The case has attracted attention because of its potential impact on Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially for politicians and aspirants affiliated with the affected parties.
