Court Orders INEC to Register Democratic Alliance in 72 Hours

On a recent ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Democratic Alliance (ADA) and to release the necessary access code within 72 hours. The court found that INEC had acted incorrectly by granting access to Umar Ardo instead of recognizing the leadership of ADA.

Justice Lifu stated that all actions taken based on this decision were invalid. The court directed INEC to reopen its registration portal within a week, allowing ADA to upload required documents, including its membership register.

The legal dispute arose when plaintiff counsel Stephen Atabo challenged INEC's decision, arguing that it violated existing electoral laws. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, affirming that Umar Ardo lacked legal authority to act on behalf of ADA in the registration process, thus nullifying INEC's earlier actions as illegitimate.