INEC Rejects Bid to Deregister ADC, says conditions not met

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on May 5, 2026, in Nigeria, opposed a legal attempt seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, stating before the court that the request does not meet the conditions required by law.

The position of the commission became known through court documents filed in response to the case.
INEC explained that the removal of any political party from the register must follow strict legal and constitutional rules. It said such action cannot be taken based on pressure or personal interest, but only when clear conditions have been met.

According to the commission, none of the approved reasons for deregistering a party, such as failure to meet election performance standards or violation of registration rules, has been proven against the ADC.

The commission’s stance has drawn attention from legal observers, who believe it may affect the outcome of the case since INEC is the body responsible for regulating political parties. Some analysts also see the move as a sign that the commission is resisting attempts to use the legal system for political purposes.

The issue has also sparked reactions in political circles. Phrank Shaibu, an aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, described the attempt to remove the party as politically driven. He said the response from INEC supports concerns that the case lacks proper legal backing and may be aimed at limiting opposition activities.

He also warned that actions that reduce political competition could harm the country’s democratic system, noting that a strong democracy depends on the presence of different political voices.

The case remains in court, and as of the time of the report, there has been no official response from either INEC or the African Democratic Congress beyond the documents already submitted.