Ex-legislators ask court to compel INEC to deregister ADC, ZLP, Accord
Ex-legislators ask court to compel INEC to deregister ADC, ZLP, Accord
The National Forum of Former Legislators is seeking a court order to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements.
In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 and filed on April 23, INEC and the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) are listed as first and second defendants, respectively.
The ADC is listed as third defendant, while the Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) are listed as fourth to seventh defendants.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to compel INEC to deregister the affected political parties, arguing that they allegedly failed to meet the constitutional threshold under section 225A of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
They argued that INEC has “no residual discretion to retain the registration of political parties that have clearly failed to satisfy the minimum threshold prescribed under Section 225A of the Constitution,” insisting that continued recognition of such parties undermines electoral integrity and constitutional order.
The plaintiffs contended that “the continued existence of non-performing political parties will inflate the ballots, burden public funds, complicate election administration and undermine the constitutional intention behind Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)”.
They described the action as a “public interest litigation” aimed at strengthening democratic accountability and ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions governing political party registration and operations.
According to the suit, “any failure or refusal of the 1st Defendant to deregister the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Defendants constitutes a continuing breach of constitutional duty, capable of being challenged by way of public interest litigation”.
The plaintiffs also maintained that “the right to associate as a political party under the Constitution is not absolute,” arguing that compliance with constitutional requirements is necessary for the integrity of the electoral system.
The plaintiffs contended that the AGF having “dual role as both an advocate for the state and defender of citizen rights must act in public interest in supporting the Plaintiff’s case for the promotion of justice and ensure that laws are interpreted and applied correctly”.
They further stated that the AGF “is enjoined to collaborate with other government agencies and citizens to ensure that laws are effectively enforced,” adding that supporting the suit aligns with the office’s constitutional mandate.
The plaintiffs added that “by backing the Plaintiff herein, the 2nd Defendant contributes to the establishment of legal precedent that reinforces the supremacy of the Constitution, thereby fostering a culture of accountability and respect for the law”.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
attorney-general of the federation
Deregistration of ADC
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
