Five registered political parties are facing possible deregistration as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed February 16, 2026, for the hearing of a constitutional suit challenging their continued recognition under Nigerian law.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) against the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, Action Alliance (AA), and Action Peoples Party (APP) over alleged persistent failure to comply with constitutional and electoral requirements, reports Daily Independent.
In a statement signed by Hon. Raphael Igbokwe, National Coordinator, National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), the group said the legal action was aimed at enforcing strict compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) governing the registration and continued operation of political parties.
The action comes against the backdrop of long-standing concerns over the proliferation of political parties in Nigeria and their impact on democratic governance. Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered 74 political parties for failing to meet constitutional performance benchmarks, a move later upheld by the Supreme Court, which affirmed INEC’s powers to withdraw recognition from non-performing parties in line with the law.
Despite that exercise, several political parties have continued to retain registration without securing electoral victories, meeting spread requirements, or demonstrating measurable national relevance, renewing calls from electoral reform advocates and former lawmakers for stricter enforcement of constitutional provisions.
According to the NFFL, the continued existence of inactive and non-performing parties weakens democratic accountability, undermines voter confidence, and erodes the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The forum is therefore seeking a clear and authoritative judicial interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution, which empowers relevant authorities to withdraw recognition from political parties that fail to meet prescribed performance standards and statutory obligations.
It stressed that the suit is not politically motivated but firmly rooted in the rule of law, constitutional supremacy, and the urgent need to sanitize Nigeria’s political space in the interest of democratic consolidation.
The National Forum of Former Legislators reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, noting that the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for political party regulation, constitutional governance, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s multi-party system.
