Horse’s Mouth News appreciates donations in support of good journalism and quality reportage. (Naira Account, Nigeria)
Account number: 6281917627
Account name: Horse’s Mouth News Media
Bank: Monie Point
Copy and click this link to join our WhatsApp platform https://chat.whatsapp.com/F7IXUvLDfSd89anvwSNjhb?mode=gi_t
Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, Accord, three other parties
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, for not meeting the constitutional benchmark for the operationality of political parties, during the 2023 general election.
In accordance with the provisions of the law, the court ordered the deregistration of the following political parties: African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Lifu ordered INEC to disallow the participation of the affected parties in subsequent elections, including the 2027 general elections, due to their failure to meet the constitutional threshold.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 was filed by Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, against the five political parties, naming INEC as the 1st defendant.
The forum contended that the affected parties did not meet the constitutional requirements in terms of electoral spread and performance in the 2023 general election, stating that political parties are required by law to score at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or win at least one elective seat at the federal, state or local level, to remain relevant under the law.
Since none of the parties achieved any of such outcomes during the 2023 election, the forum urged the court to order the deregistration of the parties.
The court earlier dismissing the preliminary objections filed by the defendants, ordered INEC to deregister the affected political parties.
