2027: Why INEC Should Deregister ADC and 4 Other Political Parties- Minister of Justice Tells Court

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has supported a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties over alleged non-compliance with legal requirements.

According to Vanguard on Thursday, Fagbemi, in filings before the Federal High Court in Abuja, argued that INEC is constitutionally empowered to deregister political parties that fail to meet statutory conditions for continued existence.

Backing the plaintiff, the AGF maintained that the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), and three other unnamed parties have not satisfied provisions of the law, including failure to secure electoral victories and alleged breaches of registration guidelines.

“The law is clear on the grounds for deregistration. INEC has a duty to sanitise the political space and ensure only parties that meet the constitutional threshold remain on the ballot,” Fagbemi submitted.

Citing Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 78(7) of the Electoral Act 2022, the AGF noted that INEC has the authority to delist parties that fail to win at least one ward councillorship, a state assembly seat, or meet the required vote threshold in general elections.

The development comes amid a leadership crisis within the ADC, recently resolved by the Supreme Court, which affirmed Senator David Mark as the party’s authentic National Chairman and voided earlier restrictions on his faction.

Despite the apex court ruling, the push for deregistration introduces fresh uncertainty over the party’s future, particularly as it remains involved in ongoing opposition coalition talks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Federal High Court has adjourned the matter for hearing, while INEC is yet to respond to the AGF’s submissions. If the court grants the request, the affected parties would be removed from the register, preventing them from fielding candidates in the 2027 polls…See More