The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over their failure to satisfy constitutional requirements governing political party recognition and participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the affected parties from its register after determining that they failed to meet the minimum electoral performance threshold prescribed by law.
The ruling affects the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), all of which the court held did not secure the required level of electoral support during the most recent general elections.
According to the court, the parties failed to attain at least 25 per cent of votes in the elections, a benchmark which formed a central issue in the legal challenge brought before the court.
Justice Lifu further ruled that the affected parties should not be permitted to participate in future electoral contests, including the 2027 general elections, unless and until they satisfy the constitutional and legal conditions necessary for recognition.
The judgment followed the dismissal of several preliminary objections filed by the defendants in an attempt to halt or strike out the case.
After considering the arguments presented by all parties, the court held that the objections lacked sufficient merit and proceeded to determine the substantive issues raised in the suit.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which challenged the continued recognition of the political parties by INEC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was listed as the first defendant in the suit, while the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) was also joined as a party because of the constitutional implications of the matter.
In its argument before the court, the National Forum of Former Legislators contended that the affected political parties had failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and national spread.
The group maintained that political parties seeking to retain legal recognition must demonstrate a meaningful level of electoral support among Nigerians and comply with the standards established by the Constitution and electoral laws.
According to the plaintiffs, the five parties failed to meet those obligations and therefore should not continue to enjoy the privileges and legal status accorded to registered political parties.
The forum further argued that retaining parties that have consistently failed to achieve the required electoral performance could undermine the integrity of the country’s democratic process and create unnecessary administrative burdens for electoral authorities.
During the proceedings, the plaintiffs reportedly insisted that none of the parties successfully refuted the claims regarding their electoral performance or provided convincing evidence to demonstrate compliance with the relevant constitutional provisions.
Justice Lifu agreed with the submissions of the plaintiffs and held that the evidence before the court supported the request for deregistration.
As part of the judgment, the court directed INEC to take immediate steps to enforce the decision by removing the affected parties from the official register of political parties recognised by the commission.
The ruling represents one of the most significant judicial interventions in Nigeria’s political party system in recent years and could have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Political analysts note that Nigeria has witnessed a proliferation of political parties over the years, many of which struggle to secure substantial electoral support at national, state, or local levels.
The issue of party deregistration has remained a recurring subject of legal and political debate, with supporters arguing that reducing the number of inactive or non-performing parties would strengthen the electoral system and improve administrative efficiency.
Opponents, however, often contend that deregistration measures could limit political diversity and reduce opportunities for smaller parties to develop into viable alternatives to dominant political organizations.
The latest judgment is expected to generate considerable discussion within political circles, particularly among supporters and leaders of the affected parties, who may choose to challenge the decision through the appellate courts.
Legal experts suggest that the ruling could become the subject of further judicial review, especially given its potential implications for political participation and electoral competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For INEC, the judgment presents an important administrative and legal responsibility, as the electoral commission will be expected to comply with the court’s directive while navigating any subsequent legal processes that may arise.
As of the time of filing this report, the affected parties had not issued formal reactions to the judgment.
The decision nevertheless marks a significant development in Nigeria’s evolving electoral jurisprudence and underscores the growing role of the judiciary in interpreting constitutional provisions relating to political party regulation and democratic participation.
With preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gaining momentum, attention is now likely to shift to whether the affected parties will appeal the ruling and how the judgment could influence the broader political environment in the months ahead.
