In a massive development that could radically alter the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, the 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.
This judicial directive introduces a major twist for the ADC, coming right on the heels of the party's high-profile announcement naming former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as its vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar.
The other affected political parties include:
Action Peoples Party (APP)
Action Alliance (AA)
Accord Party (AP)
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
The definitive order was handed down by Justice Peter Lifu following an intensive legal battle that has kept opposition coalitions on edge.
The Legal Grounds for Deregistration
The judgment was the climax of a lawsuit (marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026) instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators. The plaintiffs successfully argued that INEC has a strict, nondiscretionary constitutional obligation to purge the national register of political parties that fail to justify their existence.
The lawsuit rested entirely on the legal parameters set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which is reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC's internal regulatory frameworks.
Section 225A Constitutional Benchmarks:
To maintain valid registration in Nigeria, a political party must hit at least one of the following performance thresholds:
Secure at least 25% of the votes cast in at least one state of the Federation during a presidential election.
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Win at least one legislative seat in the National Assembly (Senate or House of Representatives) or a State House of Assembly.
Win at least one executive seat (Governorship, Local Government Chairmanship, or a Councillorship seat).
Failure to Meet Electoral Thresholds
The National Forum of Former Legislators presented evidence demonstrating that the ADC, APP, AA, Accord, and ZLP consistently performed below these required benchmarks during the 2023 general elections, as well as in subsequent off-cycle and by-elections managed by INEC.
The litigants successfully pressed the position that allowing underperforming political entities to remain on the ballot sheet is unlawful, crowds the electoral space, and actively undermines the overall integrity and logistics of Nigeria's democracy.
Concurring with the plaintiff's prayers, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that INEC is duty-bound to enforce the constitutional provisions. The court explicitly compelled the electoral umpire to execute the deregistration of the five political parties before preparations and timetables for the 2027 general elections advance any further.
This ruling throws a massive wrench into the newly minted Atiku-Amaechi alliance, likely forcing the opposition coalition to seek an alternative, legally secure political party platform if the judgment holds up through the appellate courts.
Win at least one executive seat (Governorship, Local Government Chairmanship, or a Councillorship seat).
Failure to Meet Electoral Thresholds
The National Forum of Former Legislators presented evidence demonstrating that the ADC, APP, AA, Accord, and ZLP consistently performed below these required benchmarks during the 2023 general elections, as well as in subsequent off-cycle and by-elections managed by INEC.
The litigants successfully pressed the position that allowing underperforming political entities to remain on the ballot sheet is unlawful, crowds the electoral space, and actively undermines the overall integrity and logistics of Nigeria's democracy.
Concurring with the plaintiff's prayers, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that INEC is duty-bound to enforce the constitutional provisions. The court explicitly compelled the electoral umpire to execute the deregistration of the five political parties before preparations and timetables for the 2027 general elections advance any further.
This ruling throws a massive wrench into the newly minted Atiku-Amaechi alliance, likely forcing the opposition coalition to seek an alternative, legally secure political party platform if the judgment holds up through the appellate courts.
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