Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of five political parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements governing the continued existence of political parties in Nigeria.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the affected parties, having failed to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in the last general elections as stipulated by law.
The political parties affected by the ruling are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Lifu also ordered INEC not to allow the parties to participate in future elections, including the 2027 general elections, on the grounds that they failed to meet the constitutional threshold required for political party recognition.
Before delivering the judgment, the court dismissed several preliminary objections filed by the defendants, clearing the way for a determination of the substantive issues raised in the suit.
The case was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which challenged the continued registration of the five parties. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and INEC were joined as defendants in the suit, with INEC listed as the first defendant.
The plaintiff argued that the affected parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and national spread. According to the forum, political parties are required to attain a minimum of 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections to maintain their legal status.
The group further contended that none of the parties effectively rebutted the claims made against them and urged the court to compel INEC to enforce the constitutional provisions.
Justice Lifu agreed with the plaintiff’s arguments and consequently directed the electoral commission to remove the parties from the register of political parties and bar them from participating in subsequent electoral contests.
The judgment is expected to generate significant reactions within Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as preparations gradually begin ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC and the affected political parties had yet to officially react to the judgment as of the time of filing this report.