KEY POINTS
- A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, APP, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.
- The plaintiffs argued that the parties failed to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements in the 2023 elections and subsequent by-elections.
- Justice Peter Lifu upheld the suit, a ruling that could spark fresh legal and political battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister five political parties over their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued recognition.
The affected parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, who upheld the arguments presented by the plaintiffs and directed INEC to remove the parties from its register.
The suit challenged the continued existence of the five parties, arguing that they had failed to satisfy the performance thresholds outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
According to the plaintiffs, political parties are required to achieve certain electoral benchmarks to retain their registration. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning elective offices at the national, state or local government levels.
The group contended that the affected parties failed to meet these conditions during the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.
Former Lawmakers Seek Enforcement of Constitutional Provisions
The plaintiffs, said to be former lawmakers, argued that allowing parties with poor electoral performances to remain registered would undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
They urged the court to compel INEC to implement the constitutional provisions governing party registration before preparations for the 2027 general election gain momentum.
In addition, they sought orders preventing the affected parties from participating in elections, conducting primaries, organising rallies or engaging in other political activities pending compliance with constitutional requirements.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu agreed with the submissions of the plaintiffs and ruled that INEC should proceed with the deregistration of the five political parties.
The decision represents a major development in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judgment is expected to generate legal and political responses from the affected parties, many of which have maintained active structures and participated in previous elections.
The ruling could also reignite debate over the constitutional provisions guiding the registration and deregistration of political parties and the need to streamline Nigeria’s multiparty system.
Observers believe the matter could eventually proceed to the appellate courts if any of the affected parties challenge the decision.