Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Four Other Parties

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued existence.

The affected parties include the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The case was instituted by a group of former lawmakers, who asked the court to determine whether INEC is constitutionally obligated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to deregister political parties that consistently fail to meet the required performance thresholds.

They argued that the parties in question had not met key benchmarks necessary to retain registration, such as winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing elective positions at the federal, state, or local government levels.

According to the plaintiffs, the five political parties failed to demonstrate meaningful electoral performance in the 2023 general elections as well as subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.

They further maintained that allowing such parties to remain on the register undermines the integrity of the electoral system and contradicts the provisions of the Constitution.

The group had also urged the court to compel INEC to act ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections, insisting that non-performing parties should not be allowed to participate in future polls.

In addition, the plaintiffs sought an order restraining the affected parties from conducting primaries, holding political rallies, or engaging in any form of electoral activity pending compliance with constitutional provisions.

Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu upheld the arguments of the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties in line with constitutional requirements.