Court Orders INEC to Release Access Code to Democratic Alliance

On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release an access code to the Chief Akin Rickett-led executive of the Democratic Alliance. This access code is essential for the party to continue its registration process.

The court found that INEC unlawfully issued the access code to Umar Ardo, who was not recognized as the protem national chairman or protem secretary of the association. Justice Lifu declared INEC's decision to release the access code to Ardo as illegal, wrong, null, and void.

The court mandated INEC to issue the access code to the recognized leadership within 72 hours and to reopen its registration portal within a week to allow the upload of the party's membership register and statutory documents. The plaintiff, represented by counsel Stephen Atabo, argued that INEC violated the law by recognizing Ardo instead of the leadership led by Chief Rickett.