INEC Appeals Court Ruling on Deregistration of ADC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed an appeal in Abuja to contest a federal high court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and three other political parties, namely Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). This appeal follows a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which INEC claims it was not officially notified about prior to its issuance.

The commission argues that the ruling disrupts the electoral schedule for elections scheduled to be held in six states on June 20. INEC's legal team has requested the appellate court to exercise its supervisory powers to suspend the enforcement of the judgment while the appeal is determined.

The case stems from a suit that claimed the deregistered parties failed to meet the requirements of Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act of 2022, which mandates that political parties must win at least one electoral seat and secure a minimum of 25 percent of votes in at least one state presidential election to retain their registration.