INEC Under Pressure to Deregister ADC, Labour Party, Others – Igbokwe
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, Raphael Igbokwe, has claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under mounting pressure to deregister several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Labour Party (LP), and others.
Igbokwe made the assertion while addressing journalists shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, which fixed March 24 for ruling on a joinder application in a suit seeking to compel INEC to deregister certain political parties over alleged non-compliance with constitutional provisions.
The suit reportedly concerns the ADC, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance (AA), among others. The plaintiffs argue that the affected parties have failed to meet specific constitutional thresholds required for continued registration.
Speaking after the court session, Igbokwe said the action was not politically motivated but aimed at seeking judicial clarification on constitutional provisions guiding the regulation and survival of political parties in Nigeria.
“We felt that INEC should be up and doing. We operate a constitutional democracy in which every entity, body, and authority is expected to carry out its operations according to the provisions of the Constitution,” he stated.
He expressed concern that INEC may be selectively applying the law, noting that the commission deregistered 74 political parties in 2020 following the 2019 general elections due to poor electoral performance. According to him, if the commission was able to enforce constitutional standards at that time, it should apply the same criteria consistently.
“As a country that runs the rule of law, we are worried that INEC seems to be choosing which political parties to apply the law to. If they applied the law five years ago, why are they not applying it now?” Igbokwe asked.
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He emphasized that the court’s eventual ruling would help enrich Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence by providing authoritative interpretation of the relevant constitutional sections.
The development has sparked widespread debate across political circles, particularly as Nigeria gradually approaches the 2027 general elections.
Supporters of deregistration argue that political parties that fail to secure a minimum percentage of votes in presidential, governorship, National Assembly, or state assembly elections should not continue to occupy space on the ballot. They contend that maintaining numerous inactive or non-performing parties strains INEC’s administrative and financial resources.
Others, however, view the move with suspicion, interpreting it as an attempt to weaken opposition platforms ahead of future elections. Critics argue that multiparty democracy thrives on inclusivity and that deregistration actions must strictly follow constitutional provisions without political interference.
Public reactions have also reflected the polarized political climate. Some commentators insist that electoral reforms should focus on transparency and credibility rather than reducing the number of parties. Others believe that pruning the political landscape could streamline governance and improve ballot clarity.
The Labour Party and ADC have, in recent electoral cycles, attracted increased public attention and grassroots mobilization in various parts of the country, further heightening sensitivity around any move perceived as targeting opposition groups.
Legal analysts note that the matter ultimately hinges on constitutional interpretation. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides conditions under which political parties may be deregistered, particularly relating to electoral performance benchmarks.
With the Federal High Court set to deliver its ruling on March 24, political stakeholders are closely watching the proceedings. The outcome could have significant implications for Nigeria’s party system, electoral competitiveness, and the broader democratic framework.
For now, INEC has not publicly confirmed any immediate plans to deregister additional parties beyond actions previously taken in compliance with court rulings.
As the legal process unfolds, the issue underscores ongoing tensions between electoral regulation, constitutional compliance, and political pluralism in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.