Court Directs INEC to Deregister ADC, Accord, and Three Other Parties

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove five political parties from its register, citing failure to meet constitutional performance requirements.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the order in a judgment on a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators. 

The parties affected are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The plaintiffs, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, asked the court to decide whether INEC is obligated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s own regulations, to deregister parties that do not meet set electoral thresholds.

According to the former lawmakers, the five parties did not achieve the required benchmarks. They pointed to the rule that a party must secure at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election, or win at least one elective position at the national, state, or local level. They argued that the ADC and the other four parties fell short in both the 2023 general elections and later by-elections.

The litigants said continued recognition of the parties undermines the electoral system and asked the court to declare that INEC has a duty to deregister them. They also sought an order compelling INEC to act before preparations for the 2027 elections go further.

The court was further asked to restrain the five parties from taking part in elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primaries. The plaintiffs also sought an injunction preventing INEC from dealing with them officially unless they comply with constitutional provisions.

The judgment may impact the ability of candidates fielded by the affected parties to contest in the 2027 polls.