Court Orders INEC to Deregister Five Political Parties, Including ADC and Accord

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties for failing to meet the legal requirements necessary to remain on the national register.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the directive while delivering judgment in a lawsuit brought forward by the National Forum of Former Legislators. The group had approached the court to compel the electoral umpire to remove the non-compliant political associations from its official roster.

The court identified the affected entities as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party (A), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the five political organizations breached the statutory provisions outlined in Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs the minimum operational and electoral performance thresholds required of registered parties. Consequently, the court mandated INEC to immediately initiate the formal deregistration process for all five organizations.

Spokespersons for INEC and the leadership of the affected political parties have not yet released official statements regarding whether they intend to comply with or appeal the high court’s decision.