By Daily Review Online
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements governing political party participation in Nigeria.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, to deregister the affected parties after finding that they failed to secure the constitutionally required 25 per cent threshold in previous general elections.
The parties affected by the ruling are African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Lifu also dismissed all preliminary objections filed by the defendants and ordered INEC not to permit the affected parties to participate in future elections, including the 2027 general election.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation as a party to the case, while INEC was listed as the first defendant.
The plaintiff argued that the political parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and national spread, adding that parties are expected to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections to retain their legal status.
According to the group, none of the affected parties successfully challenged the substance of its arguments, prompting the court to grant the reliefs sought.
The ruling is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political parties continue realignments, coalition talks and preparations for the highly anticipated polls.