A civil society organisation, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties.

The group argued that the parties in question have allegedly violated constitutional provisions governing party registration and continued existence. The suit also names the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as a defendant and specifically targets the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance Party (AAP).

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/25, was scheduled for hearing on Monday but was adjourned to February 24, 2026, due to the absence of Justice Peter Lifu.

Counsel to the group, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba (SAN), explained that the action seeks judicial interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions relating to the registration and continued recognition of political parties in Nigeria. He stated that some parties have allegedly failed to comply with the constitutional requirements, warranting the court’s intervention.

Ruba noted that the plaintiffs are asking the court to clarify whether INEC is constitutionally obligated to deregister parties that fail to meet minimum electoral performance benchmarks required by law.

Court documents show that the suit was initiated through an originating summons based on Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, and relevant provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

Central to the case is whether INEC must deregister parties that failed to meet electoral thresholds such as securing at least 25 per cent of votes in one state during presidential elections, winning a local government area in a governorship poll, or obtaining at least one seat from councillorship to the National Assembly.

The plaintiffs contend that the affected parties allegedly failed to win any ward, legislative seat, or elective office in previous elections, raising questions about their continued recognition as registered political parties. They also seek clarification on whether INEC can lawfully acknowledge their congresses, primaries, campaigns, or participation in the 2027 general elections without strict compliance with constitutional requirements.

Among the reliefs sought are declarations that INEC is duty-bound to enforce constitutional benchmarks for party registration and participation in elections, and orders directing the electoral body to deregister the affected parties. The group is also seeking mandatory and perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from recognising or acting on any political activities or correspondence from the parties unless they fully comply with constitutional and statutory provisions.

In an affidavit supporting the summons, Hon. Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and National Coordinator of the forum, accused INEC of failing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities by continuing to recognise parties that allegedly did not meet the minimum performance thresholds set by the Constitution.

He maintained that since their registration, the parties have not secured any elective position at any level, including presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly, chairmanship, or councillorship elections. He further claimed that they failed to secure the required 25 per cent of votes in any state during presidential polls and have no representation across the country’s wards, local government areas, states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, despite these alleged electoral shortcomings, INEC has continued to recognise the parties, an action the group described as unconstitutional and inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations for political parties.

The group warned that if not restrained, INEC may allow the parties to participate in the 2027 general elections, which it argued could overcrowd ballot papers, strain administrative resources, and mislead voters.

Describing the case as a public interest suit, the former legislators urged the court to compel INEC to enforce constitutional compliance by deregistering political parties that have not met the required thresholds, in order to strengthen electoral integrity, promote genuine competition, and deepen Nigeria’s democratic process.

Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to February 24, 2026, for further proceedings.