COURT FIXES FEBRUARY 24 TO HEAR SUIT SEEKING ADC, OTHERS’ DEREGISTRATION
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed February 24, 2026, to hear a suit seeking to compel the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties over alleged constitutional breaches.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/25, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation, and five political parties ADC, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Alliance.
The matter, initially scheduled for mention on Monday before Justice Peter Lifu, was not heard and was subsequently adjourned.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Yakubu Ruba (SAN), said the suit seeks judicial interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions governing the registration and continued recognition of political parties in Nigeria.
The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether INEC is obligated to enforce performance thresholds under Section 225(A) of the Constitution. The thresholds include securing at least 25 per cent of votes in one state during a presidential election, winning a local government area in a governorship poll, or clinching at least one seat from councillorship to the National Assembly.
According to the affidavit deposed to by Hon. Igbokwe Nnanna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the forum, the affected parties have allegedly failed to win any elective seat or meet the minimum constitutional benchmarks since their registration.
The plaintiffs are seeking declaratory orders compelling INEC to deregister the parties and restraining the commission from recognising their activities, including congresses, primaries and participation in the 2027 general elections, unless they comply fully with constitutional requirements.
Describing the action as a public interest suit, the forum argued that continued recognition of underperforming parties could “clog ballot papers, overstretch administrative resources and mislead voters.”
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to February 24, 2026, for further proceedings.
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