A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by a group of former lawmakers. They argued that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements needed to remain registered.
The court decision has already sparked
attention across Nigeria’s political space.
Why the Court Issued the Order
The plaintiffs relied on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
They argued that INEC has the power to deregister political parties that fail to meet electoral performance standards.
According to them, the affected parties did not perform strongly in the 2023 general elections. They also failed to win significant elective positions at federal, state, or local levels.
The court agreed that these conditions matter for party registration.
Parties Affected by the JudgmentThe
ruling directly affects five political parties:
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Action Peoples Party (APP)
Action Alliance (AA)
Accord Party (AP)
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
The plaintiffs argued that these parties consistently failed to meet electoral benchmarks required under Nigerian law.
Legal Argument Behind the Case
The former lawmakers said the continued existence of these parties weakens Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
They insisted that parties must show measurable electoral support to remain registered.
They also noted that allowing inactive parties to remain on the ballot could confuse voters and reduce trust in the system.
What the Ruling Means for 2027 Elections
Justice Peter Lifu agreed with the arguments presented in court.
He directed INEC to begin the process of deregistering the five political parties.
The ruling may reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It could also reduce the number of small parties participating in future polls.
Conclusion
The plaintiffs also asked the court to stop the affected parties from holding primaries, rallies, or participating in elections until they meet constitutional requirements.
Further details contained from an Instagram post
This decision, if fully enforced, could significantly tighten political competition in Nigeria.
