Court ‘Deregisters’ ADC, Accord, Three Other Parties, Throwing Atiku, Adeleke Candidacies into Uncertainty
Verdict Could Reshape 2027 Presidential Race and Upcoming Ekiti, Osun Governorship Elections
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), a ruling that could significantly alter Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections and upcoming off-cycle governorship polls.
The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu, places the political future of several prominent candidates in jeopardy, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the ADC, and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who is reportedly seeking re-election on the platform of Accord ahead of the August governorship poll.
Justice Lifu held that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration and directed INEC to remove them from its register of political parties.
The suit was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators against INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the affected political parties.
In his ruling, the judge held that the parties had breached provisions of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers INEC to deregister political parties that fail to satisfy stipulated electoral performance thresholds.
The plaintiffs argued that the affected parties neither secured elective positions nor met the constitutional and statutory conditions required to retain their status as registered political parties.
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They urged the court to compel INEC to enforce constitutional provisions by removing the parties from its register and preventing them from participating in future elections.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who was joined as a defendant in the matter, reportedly supported the suit and the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The judgment is expected to have far-reaching political implications, particularly as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections and the governorship elections scheduled for Ekiti and Osun states later this year.
Political observers note that immediate enforcement of the ruling could automatically disqualify candidates already nominated by the affected parties, potentially triggering fresh political realignments and legal battles.
Among those most affected is Atiku Abubakar, whose recent emergence as ADC presidential candidate positioned the party as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Similarly, the ruling could affect the electoral plans of Governor Ademola Adeleke if Accord remains his chosen platform for re-election.
Beyond the high-profile candidates, the decision may also impact dozens of governorship, legislative, and local government aspirants across the country who intend to contest under the affected parties.
Legal analysts, however, anticipate that the judgment may be challenged at the Court of Appeal, with the affected parties likely to seek a stay of execution pending the determination of appellate proceedings.
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the leadership of the affected political parties had issued official reactions to the court’s decision.
The ruling marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions in Nigeria’s electoral landscape in recent years and could redefine the configuration of opposition politics ahead of the next election cycle.
By PRNigeria
