By DAYO ADESULU
ABUJA — 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), over their failure to meet constitutional requirements for political party recognition.
In a landmark judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the affected parties did not satisfy the electoral performance benchmarks stipulated by law and therefore no longer qualify to retain their registration.
The parties affected by the court order are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Lifu held that the parties failed to secure the constitutional threshold of electoral support required to maintain their legal status as registered political parties.
Beyond ordering their deregistration, the court also directed INEC to prevent the affected parties from participating in future elections, including the 2027 general elections.
The judgment followed a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which challenged the continued registration of the five parties.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, listed INEC as the first defendant, while the Attorney-General of the Federation was also joined in the proceedings.
According to the plaintiffs, the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and national spread. They argued that the parties’ continued existence on the register of political parties contradicted the provisions governing political participation in Nigeria.
Justice Lifu dismissed several preliminary objections raised by the defendants before proceeding to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The ruling is expected to trigger significant political and legal debates ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly regarding the rights of smaller political parties and the interpretation of constitutional provisions governing party registration and survival.
Political observers say the judgment could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape by narrowing the number of parties eligible to contest future elections, while potentially encouraging mergers and alliances among smaller political groups.
The affected parties are expected to explore available legal options, including appeals, as stakeholders await INEC’s response to the court’s directive.
Keywords: ADC deregistration, Federal High Court, INEC, political parties deregistered, 2027 elections, Justice Peter Lifu, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Zenith Labour Party, Nigerian politics.
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