The Attorney General of the Federation has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In court filings, the Attorney General argued that INEC is failing in its constitutional duty by retaining parties like the ADC that allegedly no longer meet the minimum legal requirements for continued registration.
The suit, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, lists INEC and the Attorney General as defendants alongside the ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
At issue is whether INEC is obligated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 to deregister parties that fail to meet electoral performance thresholds.
The plaintiffs claim the ADC and other affected parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent polls, failing to secure required vote margins or win elective seats across any tier of government.
They argue that allowing such parties to remain registered undermines electoral integrity and violates constitutional provisions.
An affidavit by the forum’s national coordinator, Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, described the continued recognition of the parties as “unconstitutional, illegal and a violation” of Nigeria’s legal framework.
The suit seeks a court declaration compelling INEC to deregister the ADC and others, as well as orders barring them from participating in future elections or political activities until they comply with constitutional requirements.
The plaintiffs also maintain that the law leaves no room for discretion, insisting that INEC “shall” deregister parties that fail to meet the stipulated benchmarks.
