Independent National Electoral Commission Pushes Back as Bid To Deregister ADC Sparks Controversy

A new development has emerged in the legal dispute over the status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opposed efforts to deregister the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to court documents, INEC rejected the application, stating that it does not meet the constitutional and legal conditions required for the deregistration of a political party.

The commission maintained that its authority to deregister parties is clearly defined by law and cannot be exercised arbitrarily or influenced by political considerations.

INEC stressed that none of the legally recognised grounds—such as failure to meet electoral performance benchmarks or violation of registration rules—have been established against the ADC.

“The power to deregister political parties is not discretionary or subject to political pressure, but strictly guided by existing laws and constitutional provisions,” the commission stated.

The commission’s position has been interpreted by some observers as a resistance to alleged attempts to use the judiciary for political ends.

The lawsuit is seeking the deregistration of several parties, including the ADC, Accord Party, Action People’s Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is backing the suit, arguing that underperforming parties overcrowd ballots and place unnecessary strain on public resources. He also called for the enforcement of Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution.

Reacting, Phrank Shaibu, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, described the move as politically driven.

He argued that INEC’s stance reinforces concerns that the case lacks legal substance.

“The fact that INEC itself has highlighted the legal gaps in this application speaks volumes. It confirms that this was never about the law, but about intimidation,” he said.

Shaibu also cautioned against undermining political competition, warning that democracy cannot thrive where opposition voices are suppressed.