Here’s a rewritten 600-word news feature in prose format:
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has delivered a landmark judgement ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the affected political parties had breached the provisions of Section 225 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empowers INEC to deregister political parties that fail to satisfy certain electoral performance benchmarks.
The parties affected by the judgement are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The case was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which challenged the continued existence of the parties on the grounds that they no longer met the constitutional and statutory conditions required to remain registered political organisations. The plaintiffs argued that the parties had failed to win elective positions at the federal, state, or local government levels in previous election cycles and therefore no longer qualified for recognition under the law.
According to the plaintiffs, Section 225 of the Constitution, alongside relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, imposes an obligation on INEC to remove political parties that fail to demonstrate electoral viability. They urged the court to compel the electoral commission to carry out its constitutional duty by deleting the affected parties from the official register of political parties.
The suit also sought an order restraining the parties from participating in future elections, arguing that allowing them to remain on the ballot would be contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.
Notably, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who was joined as a defendant in the matter, aligned with the position of the plaintiffs and supported the reliefs sought before the court.
In his judgement, Justice Lifu agreed with the arguments presented by the plaintiffs, ruling that the continued registration of the affected parties was inconsistent with constitutional requirements. He consequently ordered INEC to proceed with their deregistration.
The ruling is expected to have far-reaching political and electoral implications, particularly as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections and the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
Political analysts believe the judgement, if implemented immediately, could significantly alter the political landscape by affecting the eligibility of candidates contesting under the platforms of the affected parties. The decision may trigger a wave of disqualifications, forcing politicians and aspirants to seek alternative political platforms ahead of crucial electoral contests.
Among the high-profile politicians who could be impacted by the ruling is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the ADC. Should the judgement stand and be enforced without delay, questions may arise regarding the validity of his candidacy and the participation of the party in the 2027 presidential election.
Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is reportedly seeking a second term in office under the platform of Accord ahead of the August governorship election, could also face uncertainty regarding his political future if the deregistration takes effect before the election.
The judgement is expected to generate extensive legal and political debates in the coming days. Observers anticipate that the affected parties may challenge the ruling at the appellate courts in a bid to preserve their status and protect the interests of their candidates.
As the nation moves closer to another electoral cycle, the court’s decision has once again brought into focus the constitutional provisions governing political parties and the broader debate over the number, viability, and relevance of political parties within Nigeria’s democratic system.
