A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress and the Accord Party, over alleged violations of constitutional provisions.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Odo Lifu, gave the directive while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The court held that the affected parties, which also include the Action Alliance, Allied Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party, breached constitutional requirements necessary for their continued existence as political platforms.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, listed Independent National Electoral Commission as the primary defendant.
The ruling is expected to trigger far-reaching political consequences ahead of the 2027 general elections, as key politicians operating under the affected platforms may be left without viable parties.
Among those impacted is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had been associated with the ADC as a presidential hopeful. The judgment effectively strips him of a platform to contest the next presidential election unless he defects to another party.
Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is reportedly seeking re-election under the Accord Party, may also be forced to reconsider his political alignment following the court’s decision.
Although details of the specific breaches were not fully outlined in open court, the plaintiffs had argued that the parties failed to comply with constitutional provisions guiding political party registration and operations in Nigeria.
The court subsequently directed INEC to take immediate steps to enforce the judgment, raising questions about the status of candidates already preparing for forthcoming elections under the affected platforms.
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the affected political parties had issued official responses to the ruling. Legal experts, however, anticipate a flurry of appeals and possible applications for stay of execution in the coming days.
The development adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to Nigeria’s already evolving political landscape, particularly as permutations ahead of the 2027 elections begin to gather momentum.
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