Just In: Justice Peter Odo Lifu Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Accord Party, Others Ahead of 2027 Polls
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and several other political parties from participating in the 2027 general elections over alleged constitutional breaches.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu issued the directive on Monday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by a group of former lawmakers under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, listed INEC and a number of political parties as defendants. Among the affected parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Party (APP), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The court held that the affected parties failed to comply with constitutional requirements, thereby warranting their deregistration by the electoral commission.
The ruling is expected to have major political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the presidential candidate of the ADC, is left without the platform on which to prosecute his presidential ambition if the judgment stands.
Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is expected to seek re-election in the August 15 governorship election under the Accord Party, may also be affected by the court’s decision.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC and the affected political parties had yet to officially react to the judgment, while the possibility of an appeal remains open.
