Court Orders Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, in a judgment that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove the affected parties from the register of political organisations recognised to participate in elections in Nigeria.

The ruling affects the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

According to the court, the parties failed to satisfy constitutional and electoral requirements relating to electoral performance, particularly the threshold required for political parties to maintain their registration status.

Justice Lifu held that the affected parties did not secure the minimum electoral support prescribed under the law during the last general elections and therefore no longer qualified to remain registered political parties.

The judge also ordered INEC not to allow the parties to field candidates or participate in future elections, including preparations already underway for the 2027 general elections.

The decision represents one of the most consequential judicial interventions in Nigeria’s party system in recent years, especially because it affects parties that have featured prominently in opposition politics and coalition-building efforts ahead of the next presidential election.

Political analysts say the judgment could trigger major realignments within the opposition camp, particularly for politicians who had recently embraced some of the affected platforms as vehicles for challenging the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress and other major parties.

The ADC, in particular, has attracted national attention in recent months following efforts by several opposition figures to strengthen the party’s structure and position it as a credible alternative platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Nigeria currently operates a multi-party democratic system, but concerns have repeatedly been raised about the proliferation of political parties with limited electoral presence. Supporters of stricter registration requirements argue that reducing the number of inactive parties could strengthen the electoral process, improve voter clarity and reduce administrative costs.

However, critics have often warned that excessive deregistration could narrow political participation and weaken democratic competition by concentrating power among a handful of larger parties.

The judgment follows years of debate over the legal powers of INEC and the courts regarding party registration and deregistration. Similar exercises in the past led to the removal of dozens of political parties after they failed to meet constitutional benchmarks relating to election performance and national spread.

Legal experts expect appeals and fresh court actions from some of the affected parties, especially given the far-reaching political consequences of the ruling.

As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the judgment is likely to intensify discussions about electoral reforms, party viability and the future structure of opposition politics in Nigeria.

INEC has yet to issue a formal statement on the implementation of the court order, but political stakeholders across the country are closely watching developments that could alter the configuration of the nation’s electoral contest ahead of the next general elections.