Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Accord, Three Others

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister five political parties for failing to meet the constitutional and electoral performance thresholds required under Nigerian law. Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Monday in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The affected parties are the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party. The court ruled that the parties did not satisfy the benchmarks for continued registration, including securing the constitutionally mandated spread of votes in previous elections. Justice Lifu also directed INEC to bar the parties from participating in future elections, including the 2027 general elections.

The plaintiffs argued that the parties breached provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly Section 225A, which empowers INEC to deregister parties that fail to win at least one seat in the National or State Assembly or meet prescribed vote thresholds such as 25 per cent in key contests. INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation were joined as defendants. Justice Lifu dismissed preliminary objections raised by the defence before granting the reliefs sought.

This development builds on a pattern of judicial and administrative actions aimed at enforcing viability among Nigeria’s political parties. In 2020, INEC deregistered 74 parties citing similar failures to win seats or demonstrate national spread under the same constitutional framework. The Supreme Court later affirmed INEC’s powers in related challenges, including the 2021 case involving the National Unity Party. At various points since 1999, the number of registered parties has exceeded 90, prompting repeated calls from stakeholders for pruning to strengthen credible opposition and reduce ballot fragmentation.

The ruling comes at a critical juncture ahead of the 2027 polls. With opposition figures actively exploring coalitions and alternative platforms, the decision could limit the options available for realignment and force parties to demonstrate stronger electoral footprints. Data from past cycles show that small parties often struggle to secure the required national character, contributing to concerns about vote splitting and weak institutional opposition.

INEC is expected to comply promptly by updating its register of recognised parties. The affected parties are likely to appeal to the Court of Appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court, following the trajectory of earlier deregistration disputes. Legal observers anticipate further clarification on the precise application of electoral thresholds, particularly where parties claim marginal victories in prior contests.

The judgment underscores ongoing efforts to align party registration with constitutional demands for national reach and performance, a process that has evolved through legislative amendments and judicial pronouncements since the return to civilian rule in 1999.