By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, ABUJA
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The other political parties the court directed the electoral body to deregister are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The court order followed a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.
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.
It was the position of the plaintiff that the five political parties listed as defendants in the matter had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.
The former legislators stressed that the requirements include winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.
They told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and by-elections conducted by INEC, thereby failing to win seats across key tiers of government.
The litigants insisted that the continued existence of the ADC and the other defendants as recognised political parties is unlawful and undermines the integrity of the country’s electoral system.
Among other reliefs, the plaintiff urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties.
It further urged the court to compel the commission to deregister the five political parties before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.
Beyond declaratory reliefs, the plaintiff prayed the court to restrain the five affected parties from participating in general elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primaries.
It also sought a court injunction restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with the parties in any official capacity unless and until they strictly comply with constitutional provisions.
The judgment may affect the chances of candidates of the affected political parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to contest the 2027 presidential poll.
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
Trump confirms peace deal reached with Iran
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The United States and Iran have reached a peace agreement that establishes an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon. This development, announced by the mediator Pakistan, signals a significant step toward concluding more than three months of conflict in the Middle East. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz…
UK announces ban on social media for under-16 children
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Keir Starmer, has announced a total ban on social media for children under 16. Starmer said this on Monday during a press conference at Downing Street in central London, where he disclosed how social media platforms were making children unhappy and exposing them to…
ADC confirms Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially named former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The announcement means Amaechi will run alongside former vice president Atiku Abubakar, on the ADC ticket in the next general elections. In a statement…
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
Trump confirms peace deal reached with Iran
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The United States and Iran have reached a peace agreement that establishes an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon. This development, announced by the mediator Pakistan, signals a significant step toward concluding more than three months of conflict in the Middle East. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz…
UK announces ban on social media for under-16 children
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Keir Starmer, has announced a total ban on social media for children under 16. Starmer said this on Monday during a press conference at Downing Street in central London, where he disclosed how social media platforms were making children unhappy and exposing them to…
ADC confirms Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially named former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The announcement means Amaechi will run alongside former vice president Atiku Abubakar, on the ADC ticket in the next general elections. In a statement…
