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The Federal Government has initiated legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress and Accord Party, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In the suit, the Attorney General of the Federation is asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the affected parties from its official register, arguing that their continued recognition violates constitutional provisions governing political participation in Nigeria.

Court documents show that the Attorney General warned that failure to act would leave INEC “in breach of its constitutional duty” by allowing parties that have not met statutory requirements to remain active.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators. INEC is listed as the first defendant, while the Attorney General of the Federation is the second defendant. The parties affected by the suit include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Accord (A), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

At the heart of the dispute is whether INEC is constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that fail to meet performance thresholds set by law. The plaintiffs argue that the commission has no discretion once such benchmarks are not achieved.

They contend that the affected parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure the required spread of votes or win key elective positions, yet continue to operate as recognised political platforms.

The suit relies on provisions of Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations, which outline the minimum criteria for party registration and retention.

In a supporting affidavit, the forum’s National Coordinator, Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, described the continued existence of such parties as unlawful, insisting that allowing them to operate despite failing constitutional thresholds is “illegal and a violation” of Nigeria’s electoral framework.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister any party that falls short of these requirements and to compel the commission to act before preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

They are also seeking orders barring the affected parties from participating in future elections, including campaigns, rallies, and primaries, until they comply with constitutional provisions. Additionally, they want INEC restrained from recognising or engaging with the parties in any official capacity.

Central to their argument is the interpretation of the word “shall” in the Constitution, which they insist imposes a mandatory obligation on INEC, leaving no room for discretion once a party fails to meet the stipulated benchmarks.

The plaintiffs maintain that strict enforcement of these provisions will enhance accountability and restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral system by eliminating inactive and non-performing political parties.