Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties over alleged breaches of constitutional requirements for continued recognition.
The judgment, delivered on Monday in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, also barred INEC from recognising the parties, accepting their candidates’ nominations, or giving effect to their political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court order affects the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The decision means former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, currently has no platform to contest the 2027 presidential election, while Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s planned re-election bid on the Accord Party platform is also affected.
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) against INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the political parties.
The group argued that the parties failed to meet constitutional thresholds required for continued registration, including electoral performance benchmarks under Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution.
It alleged that the affected parties failed to win elective positions or secure the required percentage of votes in previous elections.
While INEC opposed the suit, arguing that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi and that the case was without merit, the Attorney-General of the Federation supported the deregistration request.
However, the Court of Appeal later granted a stay of further proceedings in the matter following an application filed by Accord Party.
In an enrollment order dated May 22, 2026, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Mohammed A. Danjuma ordered that proceedings at the Federal High Court be suspended pending the determination of the appeal.
The Court of Appeal adjourned the appeal to October 27, 2026, for hearing.