ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), and four other political parties, ruling that they failed to satisfy constitutional requirements necessary for their continued existence as registered political parties.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Monday, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to immediately deregister the affected parties after finding that they failed to secure the minimum electoral performance threshold required by law.
The judge held that the parties did not attain 25 per cent of votes in the last general elections as stipulated under the relevant constitutional provisions governing political party participation and recognition in Nigeria.
The affected political parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Before delivering the substantive judgment, Justice Lifu dismissed all preliminary objections filed by the defendants, clearing the way for the court to determine the merits of the case.
The court further ordered INEC not to permit any of the affected parties to participate in future elections, including the 2027 general elections, on the grounds that they had failed to meet the constitutional benchmark required for continued registration.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.
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The plaintiff joined the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission as parties in the legal action, with INEC listed as the first defendant.
According to the forum, the affected political parties failed to satisfy constitutional provisions relating to electoral performance and national spread.
The group argued that political parties are expected to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections to maintain relevance and legal recognition under the law.
It maintained that the parties had fallen short of that requirement and therefore no longer qualified to remain on the register of political parties.
The plaintiff also contended that none of the affected parties presented sufficient legal arguments capable of defeating its claims before the court.
Justice Lifu agreed with the submissions and consequently granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, ordering the deregistration of the five political parties.
The ruling is expected to have significant political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly for the affected parties and their members, as it raises fresh questions about their participation in the evolving electoral landscape.
The judgment also places a fresh responsibility on INEC regarding the implementation of the court’s directive and any potential legal steps that may follow from the affected political parties.