Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, Accord, three other political parties

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four others over failure to meet the constitutional requirements for political parties in the country.

The four other parties include Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Justice Peter Lifu, in his judgement, ordered the deregistration of the affected parties for failing to secure 25 per cent of the votes in the last general elections in compliance with the provisions of the law.

Judtice Lifu, who earlier dismissed all the multiple preliminary objections filed by the defendants, ordered INEC not to allow the parties participate in subsequent elections, including the 2027 general polls.

A group, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators had filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 against the five political parties.

The plaintiff, who also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) in the suit, named INEC as 1st defendant.

The forum argued that the affected political parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral spread and performance.

It contended that political parties were required to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections to remain relevant under the law.

It, therefore, urged the court to order the deregistration of the parties, insisting that none of the defendants had effectively countered the arguments.