Court Sets Date In Explosive Suit Seeking Deregistration Of ADC, Other Parties

A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 5 to hear a suit seeking an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and several other political parties over alleged constitutional violations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date on Monday after granting the plaintiff permission to amend its originating summons to include additional parties.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/25, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The group is asking the court to compel INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party and Action Alliance.

Also joined in the suit are INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the affected political parties as defendants.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu directed parties yet to respond to the amended filings to do so promptly, stressing that the matter is both time-sensitive and of considerable public importance.

He noted that with preparations for the 2027 general elections already underway, the case requires urgent determination.

The judge subsequently ordered all parties to file relevant processes before May 1 and adjourned proceedings until May 5 for hearing.

Among the reliefs sought are declarations that INEC has a constitutional duty to enforce conditions guiding party registration and continued participation in elections.

The plaintiffs are also asking the court to compel the electoral commission to deregister the affected parties and restrain it from recognising or dealing with them pending compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Allegations Against INEC

In a supporting affidavit sworn by Igbokwe Nnanna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and National Coordinator of the forum, the plaintiffs accused INEC of neglecting its constitutional responsibilities.

They alleged the affected parties have not won any elective office since their registration, whether in presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly or local government elections.

The group also claimed the parties failed to secure the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in at least one state during presidential polls and lack meaningful national spread across wards, local governments, states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the plaintiffs, INEC’s continued recognition of the parties despite these alleged shortcomings violates the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the commission’s own regulations.

They warned that unless the court intervenes, the parties could be allowed to participate in the 2027 elections.

Such participation, they argued, could overcrowd ballot papers, strain administrative resources and confuse voters.

The forum maintained that the continued existence of what it described as non-performing parties weakens electoral integrity, distorts political competition and leads to waste of public resources.

It urged the court to compel INEC to enforce constitutional compliance by deregistering parties that fail to meet the required thresholds.