By Our Reporter
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a judgment that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling, delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu, also affected the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which asked the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to deregister political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance requirements stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and relevant regulations of the electoral commission.
The plaintiff argued that the five political parties had consistently failed to satisfy the constitutional conditions necessary for their continued existence as registered political parties in Nigeria.
According to the forum, the Constitution requires political parties to secure at least 25 per cent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or win at least one elective position at the federal, state or local government level.
It maintained that the ADC and the other affected parties failed to achieve the required electoral benchmarks during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections conducted across the country.
The former lawmakers contended that the continued recognition of the parties by INEC was unlawful and contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.
They consequently urged the court to compel the electoral commission to remove the parties from its register before preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The plaintiffs also sought an order restraining the affected parties from participating in future elections, conducting primaries, holding political rallies or engaging in any political activities until they comply with constitutional requirements.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu agreed with the arguments of the plaintiff and held that INEC is constitutionally bound to deregister political parties that fail to meet the prescribed electoral performance thresholds.
The court subsequently directed the electoral commission to commence the process of deregistering the ADC, APP, AA, Accord Party and ZLP.
The judgment has already sparked reactions within political circles, given the growing prominence of the ADC as a platform for opposition politicians seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.
Legal analysts, however, noted that the affected parties still have the right to appeal the judgment and seek a stay of execution pending the determination of the case by higher courts.
Should the ruling stand after the appellate process, it could reshape the nation’s political configuration and alter calculations ahead of the 2027 polls.
As of press time, neither INEC nor the affected political parties had officially reacted to the judgment.
