Legal Battle Over Political Party Deregistration Stalls

The legal proceedings concerning the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Peoples Party (APP), faced a setback in Abuja on February 24, 2026, due to the absence of the presiding judge. The suit, initiated by the National Forum, was filed in December 2025 and aims to challenge the continued recognition of parties that allegedly fail to meet constitutional thresholds for existence.

Lead counsel Yakubu Ruba emphasized that the case is not a political witch hunt but a constitutional test intended to uphold democratic standards and ensure that political parties in Nigeria comply with established constitutional requirements. The courtroom was packed with senior lawyers, indicating the high stakes involved in this politically sensitive case, which could reshape Nigeria's political landscape ahead of future elections.