JUST IN: ADC, Four Others Face Deregistration As Court Directs INEC To Act

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, over their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.

The ruling followed a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to meet the electoral performance thresholds outlined in Section 225A of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

The plaintiffs contended that the affected parties did not secure the required electoral victories in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, including winning elective seats or meeting prescribed vote thresholds.

They further argued that allowing the parties to retain their registration undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and sought an order compelling INEC to remove them from the register of political parties.

The court’s decision could have significant implications for preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly for politicians seeking to contest on the platforms of the affected parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been linked with the ADC ahead of the next presidential race.