Aggrieved Association Sues INEC, Seeks Withdrawal of NDC's Registration

An aggrieved political association, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), alongside its Protem Director of Mobilization, Hon. Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi, has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The plaintiffs are praying for a court order to compel the electoral body to withdraw the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

The plaintiffs allege that the Senator Seriake Dickson-led NDC was illegally, fraudulently, and secretly registered by INEC. In the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1115/2026), filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Bankole Joel Akomolafe via an originating summons, the plaintiffs claim that INEC gravely breached, disobeyed, and failed to comply with relevant laws during the registration process.

Specifically, they assert that the electoral umpire failed to comply with:

• Sections 1, 6, 13, 14, 222, and 251 of the 1999 Constitution
• Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act

The plaintiffs argue that the NDC never met any of the constitutional requirements to qualify as a political party, noting that INEC does not possess unfettered or unrestricted discretion to register the party.

As a result, they are seeking the following reliefs from the Federal High Court:

• An order to void, set aside, cancel, and revoke the certificate of registration currently in possession of the NDC.
• A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from further recognizing, accepting, or maintaining the NDC in its records for any election.
• A perpetual injunction restraining the NDC from parading, introducing, or presenting itself as a registered political party through broadcasts, publications, or any other means.

The suit, instituted on June 2, 2026, is supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Hon. Karlahi. INEC and the Nigeria Democratic Congress are listed as the two defendants, and a date has not yet been fixed for the hearing.

What are your thoughts on these legal challenges to newly registered political parties? Do you think this suit will impact the NDC's political plans moving forward? Let's hear your views in the comments section below!

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