Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, 4 other parties
By Ishaya Ibrahim
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties Monday, less than an hour after the ADC named its vice presidential candidate.
The ruling came hours after the ADC announced former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 election.
Judge Peter Lifu also ordered INEC to deregister the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The plaintiffs, identified as former lawmakers, asked the court to determine whether INEC is constitutionally required to deregister parties that fail to meet performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The group argued that the five parties had consistently failed to secure at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election or win elective positions at the national, state or local government levels.
They said the parties did not meet the requirements in the 2023 general election or in subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.
Allowing the parties to remain registered despite their poor electoral showing violates constitutional provisions and harms the integrity of the electoral process, the plaintiffs said.
They asked the court to compel INEC to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 general election begin.
The plaintiffs also sought orders restraining the affected parties from participating in elections, holding primaries, organizing rallies or carrying out other political activities until they comply with constitutional requirements.
Lifu upheld the plaintiffs’ arguments and ordered INEC to deregister the five parties.
