The Federal High Court for Abuja don fix February 24 to begin hearing of one suit wey dey ask make Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregister four political parties before the 2027 general elections.
The parties wey the suit target include African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party(ZLP) and Action Alliance.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/25, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL). Dem argue say the listed parties fail to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements.
According to the plaintiff, the affected parties no secure at least 25 per cent of votes for one state during presidential election, nor win any local government in governorship election, or even get one seat from councillorship level to National Assembly.
The suit rely on Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, insisting say INEC get constitutional duty to enforce these benchmarks.
The plaintiff also join INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants, asking the court to decide whether the electoral body suppose continue to recognise the parties despite their alleged poor performance in previous elections.
Dem further pray the court to order INEC to deregister the parties and stop recognising their congresses, primaries, campaigns and participation in the 2027 elections unless dem fully comply with constitutional provisions.
In affidavit wey Hon. Igbokwe Nnanna, Chairman of NFFL Board of Trustees, swear to, he claim say the affected parties never win any elective position at presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly, chairmanship or councillorship levels since dem register.
He also argue say allowing the parties to contest 2027 election go crowd ballot papers, waste administrative resources and confuse voters.
The matter don assign to Justice Peter Lifu for hearing, as political observers dey watch closely to see whether the court go compel INEC to remove the parties ahead of the next general elections.
