Court Orders INEC to Register New Political Party in 27 Days

On Thursday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register a new political party within a 27-day deadline, effective March 26, 2026. The court found that INEC's actions were inconsistent with its established protocols, ruling that the commission violated regulatory guidelines for political parties in 2022.

The breach occurred when INEC deactivated the registration portal three days before providing applicants with access codes. Justice Nyako noted that INEC failed to provide evidence of formally notifying applicants about the portal's early closure, significantly weakening its defense.

The legal battle was initiated by Nze Kanayo Chukwumezi and counsel Jideofor Ukachukwu on behalf of the political association's members, who filed the suit on December 24, 2025. The court dismissed arguments from INEC's legal team regarding the suit's incompetence, emphasizing the lack of formal communication regarding the portal's closure.