The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a political party and release its registration access code to the party’s recognised leadership within 72 hours.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, resolved a legal dispute over the party’s registration process, directing INEC to recognise the leadership led by Chief Akin Ricketts as the legitimate authority to complete ADA’s registration.
The court also declared INEC’s earlier decision to issue the party’s registration access code to another claimant, Umar Ardo, as unlawful, null and void. Justice Lifu held that Ardo was not the recognised Protem Secretary of the association and therefore lacked the authority to act on behalf of ADA during the registration process.
In addition to ordering the release of the access code, the court directed INEC to reopen its registration portal for one week, giving the Ricketts-led leadership enough time to upload the party’s membership register and other required documents needed to complete the registration process.
The lawsuit was filed after a leadership dispute emerged within the proposed political association, with rival factions claiming the right to oversee the party’s registration. The court ultimately ruled in favour of the Akin Ricketts-led executive, affirming its legitimacy.
The judgment represents a significant development for ADA as it seeks official recognition as a political party ahead of preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
INEC is expected to comply with the court’s directives within the stipulated 72-hour period unless the commission decides to challenge the judgment through the appellate courts.
The commission has not issued an official statement regarding the ruling at the time of filing this report.
