Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC and Four Other Political Parties Over Electoral Rule Breach
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties over alleged breach of electoral regulations.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, held that the affected parties failed to meet the constitutional and statutory requirements for continued registration as political parties in Nigeria.
According to the court, the parties did not secure the minimum electoral performance threshold required in the last general election, a condition tied to their legal recognition under the country’s electoral framework.
The ruling affects the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
The court further directed INEC to bar the affected parties from participating in future elections, including preparations for the 2027 general elections, citing non-compliance with electoral laws governing party viability and registration.
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to demonstrate the required level of voter support to justify their continued existence on the political register.
The plaintiffs maintained that none of the respondents met the constitutional benchmark tied to electoral performance, urging the court to enforce deregistration.
After considering submissions from both sides, the court upheld the arguments of the plaintiffs and dismissed the objections raised by the affected parties.
The judgment is expected to spark renewed debate on Nigeria’s political party system, electoral thresholds, and the sustainability of smaller parties ahead of future elections.
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