The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) with the access code required to continue its registration as a political party.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu ordered the electoral commission to release the code to the Akin Ricketts-led leadership of the association within 72 hours, ending a dispute over who should represent the group in its registration process.
Court faults INEC’s actions
The judge ruled that INEC acted improperly by issuing the access code to Umar Ardo, stating that he was neither the recognised Protem National Chairman nor the Protem Secretary of the association.
Justice Lifu declared the commission’s action unlawful and set aside every step taken by Ardo on behalf of ADA in the registration process.
The court also instructed INEC to reopen its registration portal for one week to allow the association’s recognised leadership to upload all required documents, including its membership register.
How the dispute began
The legal action was initiated by the association through its lawyer, Stephen Atabo, who argued that INEC breached existing regulations by granting portal access to Ardo instead of the recognised officials of the group.
The plaintiff maintained that documents submitted by Ardo did not reflect the information contained in the association’s original letter of intent and should therefore have no legal effect.
The suit also sought an order compelling INEC to issue a fresh access code to the recognised leadership and proceed with the registration of ADA as a political party, including the issuance of a certificate of registration.
In addition, the association requested an extension of deadlines earlier fixed for the submission of its digital membership register and candidates’ details.
After considering the submissions of all parties, the court concluded that Ardo lacked the authority to act for the association and invalidated all actions taken under his leadership in relation to ADA’s registration bid.
