Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, Accord, three other political parties
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister five political parties for failing to meet the constitutionally mandated electoral performance thresholds.
The affected political parties are African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The National Forum of Former Legislators had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, prayed the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, upheld the arguments of the plaintiffs—a group of former lawmakers—and directed the electoral umpire to strip the five parties of their registration status.
READ ALSO: ADC PRIMARY: Hayatu-Deen drops legal challenge, preaches unity after meeting Atiku
The plaintiffs had approached the court to determine whether INEC is constitutionally bound to axe non-performing parties. They argued that the five affected parties consistently failed to secure the required mandate during the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections.
The law says to retain its registration, a political party must, at minimum, secure at least 25 percent of the votes in at least one state during a presidential election, or win at least one elective position at the federal, state, or local government levels.
The former lawmakers contended that allowing the five parties to retain their official status despite dismal electoral outings undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
They further argued that clearing the political field of non-performing parties was necessary before preparations for the 2027 general election gather full momentum.
In line with the plaintiffs’ prayers, the court’s order effectively halts the operations of the ADC, Accord, AA, APP, and ZLP. Pending full compliance with constitutional requirements, the affected parties are now restrained from participating in any future elections, conducting primary elections for candidates, organising political rallies or campaigns, and carrying out any other official political activities.
INEC is expected to comply with the judicial directive as political stakeholders adjust their strategies ahead of the next electoral cycle.
