Abuja court orders deregistration of ADC, four others

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of African Democratic Congress, ADC, and four other parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements.

Justice Peter Lifu ruled Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must deregister ADC, Accord, Action Alliance, AA, Action Peoples Party, APP, and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, after they failed to secure 25% of votes in the last general elections.

Justice Lifu dismissed all preliminary objections by the defendants and barred INEC from allowing the five parties to contest subsequent elections, including 2027, for failing to meet the legal threshold.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 was filed by Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The Attorney-General of the Federation was joined as plaintiff, while INEC was named 1st defendant.

The forum argued the parties lacked the electoral spread and performance required by law. It contended parties must secure at least 25% of votes in prescribed elections to remain registered.

The plaintiff urged the court to deregister them, insisting none of the defendants effectively countered the arguments.

This ruling affects ADC, which on Monday confirmed Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s 2027 running mate.