A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, in a judgment that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, June 15, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, also affects the Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The court directed INEC to withdraw recognition of the affected parties, effectively barring them from participating in future elections unless the decision is overturned on appeal.
The judgment arose from a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the affected parties had failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The plaintiffs maintained that the parties did not satisfy mandatory electoral benchmarks, including winning at least one elective office or securing a minimum percentage of votes in national elections, as required by law to retain registration status.
Justice Lifu upheld the argument, ruling that the affected parties performed below the statutory thresholds in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections. The court held that INEC was constitutionally bound to enforce compliance with those provisions.
In addition to ordering deregistration, the court restrained the affected political parties from conducting campaigns, fielding candidates, or participating in primary elections pending full compliance with electoral requirements.
The decision immediately triggered strong reactions from the affected parties, with ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi describing the judgment as unacceptable and confirming that the party would challenge it at the appellate level. He warned that the ruling could have far-reaching implications for political participation in Nigeria.
The ruling has intensified political debate over the consistency of electoral law enforcement in the country. Opposition voices argue that smaller parties are being subjected to strict legal scrutiny while larger political actors allegedly continue active campaigning outside officially sanctioned timelines.
Critics claim this reflects an uneven enforcement environment that could weaken political competition ahead of the 2027 elections. However, government and ruling party stakeholders have dismissed such allegations, insisting that all political actors are operating within the bounds of the law and that enforcement actions are strictly based on constitutional provisions.
With the affected parties preparing to appeal the judgment, the matter is expected to proceed to a higher court, leaving the status of the deregistered parties uncertain. The outcome of the appeal is likely to play a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s electoral environment as political realignments continue ahead of the next general election cycle.
