A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of five political parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the affected parties, ruling that they failed to satisfy the constitutional threshold required to maintain their status as registered political parties.
The parties affected by the ruling are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Justice Lifu held that the parties did not secure the minimum electoral performance required under the law during the last general elections and were therefore no longer qualified to retain their registration.
The court also ordered INEC not to permit the affected parties to participate in future elections, including the 2027 general elections.
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The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which challenged the continued registration of the parties on the grounds that they failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral spread and performance.
INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation were joined as defendants in the matter.
The plaintiff argued that political parties are required to attain specified levels of electoral support to remain eligible for registration and participation in the country’s democratic process.
According to the forum, the affected parties failed to secure the required level of votes in the last elections and did not provide sufficient legal grounds to justify their continued existence as registered political parties.
Before delivering judgment, the court dismissed several preliminary objections filed by the defendants, paving the way for the substantive determination of the case.
The ruling is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
