June 16, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel
Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has taken urgent legal action to halt a court ruling ordering the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The move comes barely 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja directed INEC to remove the ADC, Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) from the official register of political parties.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court ruled that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements needed to maintain their status as registered political parties. The ruling also sought to bar them from participating in future elections, including the crucial 2027 general elections.
However, in a dramatic twist, INEC has now approached the Court of Appeal, seeking an order to suspend the implementation of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal.
If granted, the appeal would temporarily protect the affected parties from immediate deregistration while the legal battle continues.
The case originated from a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties no longer satisfied constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and national spread.
According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties failed to secure the required electoral support necessary to justify their continued existence as registered political parties.
The ruling has sparked widespread political debate, especially because the ADC has recently emerged as a key platform for opposition politicians seeking to form a powerful coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Political observers believe the outcome of the appeal could have major implications for Nigeria’s opposition landscape and the race toward 2027.
As legal proceedings intensify, all eyes are now on the Court of Appeal, which will determine whether the controversial deregistration order stands or is suspended pending further judicial review.
