The Federal Government has approached the court seeking the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress and Accord Party, ahead of the next year’s general elections.

In a fresh suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation is asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the affected parties from its register.

The government argues that their continued recognition goes against constitutional provisions guiding political participation in Nigeria.Nigerian Economic Insights

According to court documents, the Attorney General warned that failure to act would mean INEC would “continue to act in breach of its constitutional duty” by allowing parties that have not met legal requirements to remain active.

The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was brought by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators. INEC is listed as the first defendant, while the Attorney General of the Federation is named as the second defendant. The five political parties involved are African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

At the centre of the legal dispute is whether INEC is constitutionally bound to deregister political parties that fail to meet electoral performance standards outlined in Nigerian law. The plaintiffs insist that the commission has no discretion in the matter once those benchmarks are not met.

They argue that the affected parties did not perform up to expectation in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections. According to them, none of the parties secured the required spread of votes or won elective positions at key levels of government, yet they are still being recognised as valid political platforms.

The suit points to Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, alongside provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations. These laws, the plaintiffs say, clearly define the minimum conditions political parties must meet to remain registered.

In a supporting affidavit, the forum’s national coordinator, Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, described the continued existence of such parties as unlawful. He stated that allowing them to operate despite failing to meet constitutional thresholds “is unconstitutional, illegal and a violation” of the legal framework governing elections in Nigeria.Nigerian Economic Insights

The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister any party that fails to meet these standards. They also want the court to compel the commission to act before preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

Beyond that, the suit is seeking stricter measures. It is asking the court to bar the affected parties from participating in future elections. It also seeks orders preventing them from organising campaigns, rallies, or primaries until they meet constitutional requirements.

The plaintiffs further want INEC restrained from recognising or engaging with the parties in any official capacity. They insist that this step is necessary to restore discipline and credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process.

A major argument in the case is based on the interpretation of the word “shall” in the Constitution. The plaintiffs maintain that it imposes a compulsory duty on INEC, leaving no room for discretion once a party fails to meet the required benchmarks.

They argue that enforcing these provisions will strengthen accountability and reduce the number of inactive or non-performing political parties in the system.