By Fatima Ndagi
The fate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties will come under judicial scrutiny on February 16, 2026, as the Federal High Court in Abuja hears a suit seeking their deregistration.
The legal action, filed in December 2025 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, was brought by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), a public interest group made up of former lawmakers. The group is asking the court to determine whether the affected parties still meet the constitutional standards required to remain on Nigeria’s register of political parties.
At the heart of the case is the interpretation of provisions in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act relating to electoral performance. The plaintiffs argue that the ADC failed to meet the minimum benchmarks laid down by law.
In an affidavit deposed to by the forum’s National Coordinator and Board of Trustees member, Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe, the NFFL claimed that the ADC did not secure up to 25 per cent of votes in any state during the last presidential election. It further alleged that the party failed to win any ward, councillorship or chairmanship seat in local government elections nationwide.
The group also pointed to the party’s performance in by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in August 2025, stating that it recorded no victories.
Relying on Section 225A of the Constitution, the plaintiffs argued that INEC is empowered to deregister any political party that fails to win at least 25 per cent of votes in a state in a presidential election, or fails to secure a seat in any state or federal legislative election, or a councillorship position at the local government level. They also cited Section 222, which outlines the conditions political associations must satisfy to qualify and remain registered as parties.
The NFFL is therefore asking the court to declare that the ADC has not met the constitutional and statutory requirements for continued registration and to compel INEC to act accordingly.
Speaking ahead of the hearing, Igbokwe described the suit as a constitutional test rather than a political attack.
“We took this step to promote the rule of law and expound our electoral jurisprudence,” he said, dismissing suggestions that the action was aimed at weakening opposition politics.
“Our action has nothing to do with shutting down multiparty democracy or promoting a one-party state. Opposition is not defined by existence alone, but by meeting constitutional and electoral standards,” he added.
The case is expected to spark fresh debate over the balance between protecting multiparty democracy and enforcing performance-based criteria for political parties. The court’s decision could reshape conversations around party regulation and electoral accountability in Nigeria.
Court to Weigh Bid to Strike ADC, Four Parties from Register
