Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Four Other Parties Over Electoral Failure

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 for failing to meet legal requirements for continued registration.

The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu, also affects Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The court held that the affected parties failed to meet the constitutional threshold required for political parties in Nigeria, including the requirement to secure at least 25% of votes in prescribed elections.

Justice Lifu further directed INEC to prevent the parties from participating in future elections, including the 2027 general elections, due to their non-compliance with electoral performance standards.

The case was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the five parties, with INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation also joined as defendants.

The plaintiffs argued that the parties failed to demonstrate sufficient electoral spread and support, as required by law, and asked the court to order their deregistration.

The court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the defendants before delivering its ruling in favor of the plaintiffs.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share