The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 5, 2026, to hear the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other parties.
The legal challenge coincides with a leadership crisis within the ADC, involving a faction led by former Senate President David Mark. The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a judgment on the party’s leadership structure today, April 30, 2026.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, targets political parties that allegedly fail to meet constitutional performance thresholds.
Parties the forum seeks deregistration for include African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Alliance (AA), and Action Peoples Party (APP).
The NFFL argued that these parties should be deregistered because they failed to win at least 25% of the votes in at least one state during the last presidential election; and secure at least one elective seat at the local, state, or national level.
The plaintiffs claimed the continued existence of these non-performing parties overcrowds ballot papers and wastes public resources.
In a recent turn, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has backed the suit, arguing that INEC has a constitutional duty to remove parties that do not meet legal requirements.
Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter to May 5, citing its urgency due to the fast-approaching party primaries for the 2027 general elections.
