The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 24, 2026, to rule on a joinder application and other pending motions in a suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance over alleged constitutional non-compliance.
The suit, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, is against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and the affected parties.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to compel INEC to deregister the parties for allegedly failing to meet electoral performance thresholds stipulated under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.
At Tuesday’s proceedings before Justice Peter Lifu, two lawyers separately claimed to represent Action Alliance, prompting the court to direct them to resolve the representation issue or risk further action.
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Counsel to Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), sought leave to file a further counter-affidavit, but the application was opposed by the plaintiffs.
Other defence counsel also sought extension of time to regularise their processes and challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
The court granted the extension of time and deemed the plaintiff’s reply properly filed before adjourning for ruling.
The plaintiffs contend that parties that fail to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in one state in a presidential election or win at least one elective seat should be deregistered.
They also argue that allowing such parties to participate in the 2027 general elections would overcrowd ballot papers and undermine electoral integrity.
