A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 5, 2026, for the hearing of a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties over alleged violations of electoral laws.
Justice Peter Lifu set the date after granting the plaintiff, the National Forum of Former Legislators, leave to amend its suit to include additional parties accused of breaching legal requirements.
The case also lists the Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, Action Alliance, INEC, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.
In a brief ruling, the judge directed parties that have yet to respond to the amended suit to do so promptly, describing the matter as urgent and of public interest, particularly with party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court ordered all parties to file their processes before May 1 and adjourned the case to May 5 for hearing.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to compel INEC to enforce constitutional provisions guiding the registration and participation of political parties in elections.
They argue that the affected parties failed to meet key requirements, including securing at least 25 per cent of votes in one state during presidential elections and maintaining nationwide representation.
In an affidavit deposed to by the group’s chairman, Igbokwe Nnanna, the plaintiffs warned that failure to act could allow non-compliant parties to participate in the 2027 elections, potentially overcrowding ballot papers, straining administrative resources, and misleading voters.
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