Court Orders INEC to Release Access Code to ADA Leadership

On Monday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must generate and release an access code to Akin Rickett's leadership of the Democratic Alliance (ADA) within 72 hours. The court found that INEC had wrongfully failed to issue the access code, which is necessary for the protem secretary to upload required documents, including membership registration.

The case was brought by Stephen Atabo, who argued that INEC's refusal to provide the access code violated existing laws. The court declared INEC's actions illegal, null, and void, and ordered the commission to open its portal for one week to allow the plaintiff to upload necessary documents.

Additionally, the court extended the deadline for the submission of digital membership registrations and candidacy documents from May 10, 2026, to May 30, 2026. The court also ruled that Umar Ardo was neither the national protem chairman nor secretary of the political association, thereby nullifying any actions taken on behalf of the ADA.