Court Takes Fresh Action on ADC Deregistration Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for May 5 regarding a lawsuit aimed at compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and several other political parties due to alleged breaches of constitutional provisions.

Justice Peter Lifu set the hearing date on Monday after granting permission to the plaintiff to amend its original summons to include additional parties that are allegedly in violation of the Constitution.

The lawsuit, designated as FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/25, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators. The group is requesting the court to order INEC to deregister not only the ADC but also the Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Alliance.

Other defendants in the case include INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the political parties in question.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu directed parties yet to respond to the amended processes to do so without delay, stressing that the matter is time-sensitive and of significant public interest.

He noted that with party primaries for the 2027 general elections approaching, the case requires urgent determination.

The judge subsequently ordered all parties to file necessary processes before May 1 and adjourned the matter to May 5 for definite hearing.

Among the reliefs being sought are declaratory orders affirming that INEC is constitutionally obligated to enforce conditions for party registration and continued participation in elections.

The plaintiffs are also seeking orders compelling the electoral body to deregister the affected parties, as well as injunctions restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with them until they comply with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Allegations Against INEC
In a supporting affidavit deposed to by Igbokwe Nnanna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and National Coordinator of the group, the plaintiffs accused INEC of failing in its constitutional responsibilities.

They alleged that the affected parties have not won a single elective seat since their registration at any level of government, including presidential, gubernatorial, National Assembly, state assembly, or local government elections.

The group further claimed that the parties failed to secure the required 25 per cent of votes in at least one state in presidential elections and lack representation across Nigeria’s wards, local government areas, states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The plaintiffs argued that despite these alleged failures, INEC has continued to recognise the parties, describing the action as unconstitutional and contrary to the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.

They warned that unless the court intervenes, INEC may allow the parties to participate in the 2027 general elections.

Such a move, they said, would “clog the ballot papers, overstretch administrative resources and mislead voters.”

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

Describing the suit as a matter of public interest, the group urged the court to compel INEC to enforce constitutional compliance by deregistering parties that fail to meet stipulated thresholds.