Nigerians are raising alarms over the integrity of the electoral process as the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to order the deregistration of five political parties. The move has sparked concerns about electoral fairness and political freedom in the country.
Details of the Court Case
The Attorney General filed a suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party, and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was brought by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, with both INEC and the Attorney General listed as defendants.
Legal Basis for Deregistration
In court documents, Fagbemi argued that the continued existence of these parties violates constitutional provisions. He insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is failing in its duty by keeping them on the register. According to the filing, INEC would continue to act in breach of its constitutional duty if the court does not intervene.
The case centers on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. These laws empower INEC to deregister political parties that fail to meet certain performance benchmarks, including:
- Winning at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election
- Securing seats in national or state assemblies
- Winning local government positions
The plaintiffs claim the affected parties failed to meet these requirements during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections. In a supporting affidavit, the forum's National Coordinator, Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, described their continued registration as unconstitutional, illegal, and a violation of Nigeria's electoral laws.
Political Tension and Opposition Reactions
The move has stirred political controversy. Opposition figures have accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of trying to weaken alternative voices in the system. Some parties allege a broader strategy to shrink the political space, including claims of interference in internal party affairs, though the government has not officially responded to those accusations in this case.
Implications for Nigeria's Democracy
Critics of the deregistration move fear it may weaken Nigeria's multi-party system and limit the choices available to the electorate in 2027. Nigeria currently operates a multi-party system with over a dozen registered political parties. Analysts say enforcing deregistration rules could streamline the ballot and reduce voter confusion, but it could also limit political diversity if applied selectively.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled in 2020 that INEC has the constitutional authority to deregister parties that fail to meet requirements, leading to the removal of several parties at the time. However, legal debates continue over how strictly those provisions should be enforced.
With future elections approaching, this case could set a major precedent. If the court rules in favor of deregistration, it may redefine how political parties survive and compete in Nigeria. For many Nigerians watching closely, the key issue is not just legality but whether the process strengthens democracy or raises fresh doubts about electoral fairness.
