Judgment says parties failed to meet constitutional thresholds as pressure mounts ahead of 2027 elections

The Federal High Court 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 performance benchmarks.

Also affected by the ruling are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The order followed a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.

In the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether INEC is constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that fail to satisfy the requirements outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations.

The forum argued that the five parties consistently underperformed in elections and failed to meet the minimum criteria required to retain registration. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective seat at the federal, state, or local government level.

According to the plaintiffs, the ADC and the other parties recorded poor results in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to win seats across key tiers of government.

They maintained that allowing such parties to remain registered undermines the credibility and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

The court agreed with the submissions and held that INEC has a constitutional duty to act, ordering the commission to proceed with the deregistration of the affected parties as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.