Federal Court Allows Political Parties to Join Deregistration Lawsuit
On April 27, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the applications of the Accord Party, Zenith Labor Party, and the All Progressives Party (APP) to join the deregistration lawsuit initiated by the National Ex-Parliamentary Forum (NFFL). This decision sets the stage for a comprehensive hearing regarding the potential deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, ZLP, APP, and the Action Alliance (AA).
The court highlighted the necessity of allowing these amendments, asserting that all parties involved are essential for a proper resolution of the case. In a brief ruling, the presiding judge urged those who had not yet responded to the amended procedures to do so promptly, underscoring that time is critical as political party primary elections approach. The judge remarked on the urgency of resolving the matter swiftly.
Judge Riff instructed all parties to submit their required documents by May 1, 2026. This directive propels the case toward a resolution, with significant implications for the political landscape in Nigeria.
Following the ruling, Mr. Gbenga Peter Makanjuola, the principal counsel for the plaintiff NFFL, expressed gratitude to the court for its thoughtful judgment, which he claimed aligns with the principles of justice and equity for all involved parties. His comments reflect a growing expectation that the case will be heard substantively without undue delay.
Rafael Igbokwe, Chairman of the NFFL Board, spoke to the media about the court’s decision and its implications for the political calendar, noting that the court recognized the urgent need for a timely resolution, as some parties seemed hesitant to comply with the legal process. Igbokwe reiterated that the crux of the case lies in interpreting constitutional provisions, particularly Article 225A of the Constitution, which questions the entitlement of certain political parties to exist under current laws.
He also expressed concern over the lack of response from some defendants, questioning why parties, especially the Accord Party, might delay proceedings. Igbokwe emphasized that this case is not targeted at any specific political party but rather seeks to reinforce Nigeria’s legal and electoral frameworks. His remarks aim to clarify that the action’s intention is to enhance electoral jurisprudence rather than to single out any one organization.
Addressing inquiries about the implications for the ADC, Igbokwe clarified that ADC is merely one of multiple entities involved in the lawsuit. He noted that any internal issues faced by the ADC are separate from the current case. Igbokwe pointed out that the NFFL filed the case in December 2025, asserting that several political parties did not fulfill the constitutional criteria to continue operating as legitimate entities.
He further referenced the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), questioning its current hesitance. In 2020, INEC deregistered 74 political parties based on similar constitutional standards, prompting Igbokwe to request judicial intervention to compel INEC to act judiciously according to the law.
The presiding judge underscored the need to expedite the hearings, given the impending schedule for INEC’s party primaries. The lawsuit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, seeks to compel INEC to implement Article 225A of the Constitution consistently against political parties that allegedly do not meet the requisite constitutional criteria. The case was last heard on April 17 and was subsequently adjourned to today.
