Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), for failing to meet the constitutional performance requirements required for political parties to retain their registration. The landmark ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Monday, June 15, 2026, has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, with major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Ademola Adeleke, facing an uncertain political future.
Justice Lifu issued the order while delivering judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators against INEC and the five affected political parties. The plaintiffs had asked the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to deregister political parties that fail to satisfy electoral performance benchmarks as stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), provisions further reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and existing INEC regulations.
According to the former lawmakers, the five parties listed as defendants had consistently failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration as recognised political parties in Nigeria. They argued that under the law, political parties are required to secure at least 25 percent of votes cast in at least one state during a presidential election, or win at least one elective position at the national, state, or local government level in order to remain legally registered.
The plaintiffs told the court that the ADC, APP, AA, Accord Party and ZLP performed poorly during the 2023 general elections, as well as subsequent by‑elections conducted by INEC, failing to win seats across critical tiers of government and therefore falling short of constitutional thresholds. In their submission, the litigants argued that the continued recognition of the affected parties by INEC was unlawful and undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Beyond seeking deregistration, the plaintiffs urged the court to restrain the affected political parties from participating in future elections or engaging in political activities, including campaigns, congresses, rallies, conventions, primaries, and candidate nominations. They also sought an injunction preventing INEC from recognising, dealing with, or granting official status to the five parties unless they fully comply with constitutional requirements governing political party registration.
Justice Lifu, in his ruling, agreed with the arguments presented by the plaintiffs and subsequently directed INEC to commence immediate steps toward deregistering the affected political parties in line with constitutional provisions. The court also granted an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities, including campaigns, rallies, and primary elections. Furthermore, the court barred INEC from recognising or conducting official business with the parties pending compliance with the judgment.
The ruling has significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections. The affected parties, particularly the ADC, which was the political platform for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, will now be forced to seek alternative political vehicles if the judgment is not overturned on appeal. Senator Adeleke, who is seeking re‑election on the Accord Party platform in the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, is also affected, as the Accord Party is among those ordered to be deregistered.
Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the ADC, had already decamped with his structure to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in May 2026. However, several other candidates and elected officials on the platforms of the deregistered parties now face the prospect of losing their political platforms.
INEC has yet to issue an official statement indicating whether it will immediately comply with the court directive or challenge the judgment on appeal. The affected parties may also challenge the decision at the appellate courts.
Legal observers have noted that the judgment reinforces the constitutional requirement that political parties must demonstrate electoral relevance to retain their registration, a provision designed to prevent the proliferation of inconsequential political parties that clutter the electoral space without contributing meaningfully to democratic development. The ruling may also trigger a wave of litigation from other parties facing similar performance deficiencies as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
As of the time of filing this report, none of the affected parties had issued an official response to the judgment.
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