Court sets Feb. 24 to hear suit seeking deregistration of ADC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed February 24 to begin hearing a suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and three other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/25, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL). The plaintiff is asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the affected parties from the register of political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance benchmarks.

Apart from the ADC, the suit also targets the Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Alliance. INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation are listed as defendants.

The plaintiff anchored the action on Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022. It argued that the parties failed to satisfy minimum requirements such as securing at least 25 per cent of votes in one state during a presidential election, winning at least one local government area in a governorship poll, or obtaining a seat in elections ranging from councillorship to the National Assembly.

According to the NFFL, the parties have not won any elective office since their registration and therefore no longer qualify to retain their status as registered political parties. The group is seeking declarations that INEC is constitutionally bound to enforce the stipulated thresholds and that continued recognition of the parties violates existing laws.

The suit also seeks orders compelling INEC to deregister the affected parties and restraining the commission from recognising their congresses, primaries, campaigns, or participation in the 2027 elections unless they comply fully with constitutional provisions.

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by Hon. Igbokwe Nnanna, Chairman of the NFFL Board of Trustees, the plaintiff accused INEC of neglecting its constitutional responsibility by maintaining the registration of parties that allegedly failed to secure representation in any of the country’s 8,809 wards, 774 local government areas, 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The plaintiff further contended that allowing the parties to contest in 2027 could overcrowd the ballot, strain administrative resources, and mislead voters. It maintained that the suit was filed in the public interest to promote constitutional compliance and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.

The matter has been assigned to Justice Peter Lifu for hearing.