By Jane Okafor, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party, in a ruling that could reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 general election and the 2026 Osun State governorship poll.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Monday in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the affected parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
The other parties affected by the ruling are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The plaintiff had asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the conditions outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The suit also relied on provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations governing political party registration and retention.
According to the National Forum of Former Legislators, the five parties consistently failed to meet the electoral performance benchmarks required by law. The group argued that the parties neither secured the minimum vote threshold stipulated by the Constitution nor won elective positions at the federal, state, or local government levels.
Under the constitutional provisions cited before the court, political parties are expected to secure at least 25 per cent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or win at least one elective seat at the federal, state, or local government level to justify their continued existence.
The plaintiff maintained that the ADC, Accord Party, and the three other affected parties performed poorly in the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure representation across key levels of government. It argued that their continued recognition as political parties undermined the integrity of the electoral system.
Among the reliefs sought, the group requested a declaration that INEC is duty-bound to deregister non-performing political parties and asked the court to compel the commission to carry out the exercise before preparations for the 2027 elections progress further. It also sought orders restraining the affected parties from participating in elections, conducting campaigns, holding rallies, or organising primary elections.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu granted the reliefs sought and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.
The judgment is expected to have far-reaching political implications, particularly for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Atiku had recently secured the ADC presidential ticket as part of a broader opposition coalition effort aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Adeleke, on his part, had reportedly emerged as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate amid growing speculation over political realignments ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
With both parties now affected by the court order, the political future of their members and prospective candidates may face uncertainty, pending the outcome of any appeal or further legal proceedings.
