Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Accord, Other Parties

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove several political parties from the register of recognised parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Odo Lifu issued the ruling while delivering judgment in a suit brought before the court by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

Among the parties affected by the judgment are the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Alliance, All Progressives Party and Zenith Labour Party.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, challenged the continued recognition of the parties by INEC. The plaintiffs argued that the parties failed to comply with constitutional requirements and should no longer remain on the electoral commission’s register.

Following the court’s decision, the affected parties face uncertainty over their participation in future elections unless the ruling is overturned on appeal or further legal action changes the situation.

The judgment also raises questions about the political future of several prominent politicians associated with the parties.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the presidential candidate of the ADC for the 2027 election, may be left without a platform to pursue his presidential ambition if the ruling stands.

Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is expected to seek another term in office under the Accord Party, could be affected by the court’s decision ahead of the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.

The lawsuit was filed against INEC and the affected political parties, with the plaintiffs seeking an order compelling the electoral body to enforce constitutional provisions relating to party registration and participation in elections.

As of the time of the judgment, there was no immediate response from INEC or the affected political parties regarding the next steps they intend to take following the court’s ruling.

The development is expected to trigger fresh legal and political debates as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.