ABUJA, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for May 5 on a petition that seeks to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and several other political parties for alleged breaches of electoral law.
Justice Peter Lifu set the hearing date after granting the National Forum of Former Legislators – the group that filed the suit – leave to amend its complaint and add further parties said to have failed to meet constitutional requirements. The amended pleading now includes the Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party and Action Alliance, together with INEC and the Attorney‑General of the Federation.
In a short order, the judge instructed any respondent that has not yet filed a response to the amended petition to do so without delay, emphasizing that the matter is urgent and of public interest. With party primaries slated to begin ahead of the 2027 general elections, the court stressed that the issues raised must be resolved promptly. All parties were ordered to file their pleadings by May 1, after which the case will be heard on May 5.
The petitioners argue that INEC is statutorily obliged to enforce the constitutional conditions that political parties must satisfy to retain registration and contest elections. They request that the court order INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party and Action Alliance, and to cease recognising them until they comply with the legal thresholds.
According to an affidavit submitted by the forum’s chairman, Igbokwe Nnanna, the parties in question have not met essential constitutional benchmarks, including the requirement to secure at least 25 percent of the votes in one state during a presidential election and to maintain a nationwide presence. The petitioners contend that, without judicial intervention, INEC may allow these parties to appear on the ballot for the 2027 elections, potentially cluttering the ballot, straining administrative resources and confusing voters.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s party system and the enforcement of electoral statutes. If the court grants the relief sought, deregistration could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next election cycle. Conversely, a refusal to order deregistration may compel INEC to address the alleged compliance gaps through other mechanisms.
The May 5 hearing will determine whether INEC must act to remove the parties from its register, a decision that could have ramifications for party registration standards and election administration in the lead‑up to 2027.
