The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has moved to have a Federal High Court in Abuja force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties for allegedly violating the constitution.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the AGF argued in court filings that INEC is failing its constitutional duty by continuing to recognize these parties.
He warned that without court intervention, the electoral body would “continue to act in breach of its constitutional duty” by keeping parties that haven’t met the required legal standards.
The specific parties targeted in the suit are:
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African Democratic Congress (ADC)
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Action Alliance (AA)
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Action Peoples Party (APP)
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Accord (A)
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Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
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The legal battle focuses on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, which require parties to meet certain performance benchmarks to remain registered.
“The right to associate as a political party is not absolute and must be exercised within constitutional limits,” the AGF stated, adding that “it is in the interest of justice for the court to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.”
The lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026) was actually filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, with the AGF and INEC listed as defendants.
The plaintiffs argue that these parties failed to win any elective seats or secure at least 25% of the votes in any state during the 2023 presidential election.
Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, the forum’s National Coordinator, claimed in a supporting affidavit that keeping these parties on the register “is unconstitutional, illegal and a violation” of Nigeria’s legal framework.
While the government denies any ulterior motives, opposition members have slammed the move, claiming the Tinubu administration is trying to crush dissent by using legal pressure against smaller parties.
