A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and three other political parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements on electoral performance and continued registration as political parties in Nigeria.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the affected political parties did not satisfy the constitutional threshold required under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers INEC to deregister parties that fail to demonstrate minimum electoral strength and relevance.
The court consequently directed INEC to immediately remove the affected parties from its official register and restrain them from participating in future electoral processes, including preparations toward the 2027 general elections.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the five political parties, with INEC named as the first defendant and the Attorney-General of the Federation also joined in the matter.
The forum argued that the political parties had failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to national spread and electoral performance, insisting that none of the defendants effectively challenged or discredited its claims before the court.
The affected parties in the judgment include ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
INEC had been urged during the proceedings to enforce constitutional provisions governing party registration, with arguments that continued recognition of non-performing political parties places unnecessary strain on the electoral system and distorts democratic competition.
The judgment, which has drawn attention across political and legal circles, is expected to compel INEC compliance and may significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to reports referenced in legal coverage, the ruling follows sustained legal arguments over INEC’s obligation to enforce constitutional standards on political party viability and electoral performance.