Court orders deregistration of ADC, four other parties as Appeal Court halts enforcement

By Precious Mark

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday was reported to have ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), following a ruling that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration in Nigeria.

Justice Peter Lifu held that the affected political parties did not meet the requirements under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), including the minimum electoral performance threshold such as winning seats or scoring at least 25% of votes in one-third of states during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections.

The court ruled that the parties are no longer qualified to participate in future elections, including preparations for the 2027 general elections and party primaries, noting that the decision was aimed at strengthening the electoral system and reducing the burden of “non-viable” political parties.

The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the five affected political parties.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to compel INEC to deregister political parties that allegedly failed to meet constitutional thresholds, arguing that continued recognition of such parties would distort the electoral process and waste public resources.

However, the enforcement of the judgment has now been put on hold following a stay of proceedings granted by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in the same matter.

The development was contained in a court document made public by Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku Abubakar.

The appellate court, presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebukunola A. Banjoko and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi, ordered that all proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 be suspended pending the determination of an appeal.

The order followed a motion filed on May 4, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026, seeking to stop further proceedings at the Federal High Court.

The matter was adjourned to October 27, 2026, for hearing of the appeal.

The development has sparked political reactions, with opposition voices describing the case as part of efforts to weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, condemned the ruling, describing it as an attempt to entrench a one-party system and accusing the process of undermining democratic competition.

He further described the development as “judicial rascality” and insisted it reflects a broader attempt to manipulate the political space.

However, there has been no official response from the Federal Government or INEC on the ruling or the allegations as of press time.

The legal battle is expected to continue when the Court of Appeal hears the substantive appeal on October 27, 2026.