Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, four other political parties

By Margaret Abah

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties over their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.

The affected parties are the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The plaintiff had asked the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and the commission’s regulations to deregister political parties that fail to meet prescribed electoral performance thresholds.

According to the former lawmakers, the five parties consistently failed to satisfy the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

They argued that the requirements 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.

The forum told the court that the affected parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure seats across various levels of government.

The plaintiffs maintained that the continued recognition of the parties by INEC was unlawful and detrimental to the integrity of the country’s electoral system.

They therefore urged the court to compel the electoral commission to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 general elections advance further.

The suit also sought an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities, including campaigns, rallies and primary elections, as well as an injunction preventing INEC from recognising them in any official capacity unless they comply with constitutional provisions.

The judgment could have implications for aspirants seeking elective offices on the platforms of the affected parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.