TDThe Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties over their failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued recognition as registered political parties in Nigeria.
The affected parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The landmark judgment was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu following a suit instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, sought judicial interpretation of INEC’s constitutional responsibilities regarding political parties that fail to satisfy prescribed electoral performance benchmarks.
According to the plaintiffs, the five political parties had consistently failed to meet the minimum constitutional thresholds required to maintain their registration status under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations.
The former lawmakers argued that political parties are required to demonstrate a minimum level of electoral viability by either securing at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective position at the federal, state, or local government level.
They maintained that the ADC, APP, AA, AP, and ZLP performed poorly during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure any significant electoral victories across the country.
According to the plaintiffs, the continued recognition of the parties despite their electoral shortcomings undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system and contributes to unnecessary proliferation of political parties with little or no electoral relevance.
In its judgment, the court agreed with the arguments presented by the National Forum of Former Legislators and held that INEC has a constitutional obligation to enforce the provisions governing the registration and deregistration of political parties.
Justice Lifu consequently directed the electoral commission to commence the deregistration process for the five affected parties in accordance with constitutional and statutory provisions.
The plaintiffs had also sought additional reliefs, including an order restraining the affected political parties from participating in future elections, conducting primaries, organizing political rallies, and engaging in campaign activities.
They further requested an injunction preventing INEC from recognizing or dealing with the parties in any official capacity unless they complied fully with constitutional requirements.
The ruling is expected to generate significant political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly amid ongoing discussions about the size of Nigeria’s party system and the need for electoral reforms.
Political analysts believe the judgment could have far-reaching implications for politicians currently associated with the affected parties or those considering using them as platforms for future elections.
Of particular interest is the potential impact on the political calculations of several opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whose future political plans have been the subject of widespread speculation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
While the judgment represents a major development in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, attention is now expected to shift to INEC’s response and whether the affected political parties will challenge the ruling at the appellate courts.
The case has once again highlighted the constitutional debate surrounding party registration, electoral performance, and the balance between political inclusion and the need for a more streamlined and effective democratic process in Nigeria.
