A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the All-Democratic Alliance’s lawsuit against INEC on procedural grounds, effectively shutting the group out of the 2027 general elections.
IDEA TV News Desk
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit by the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a political association seeking compulsory registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Justice Emeka Nwite ruled Wednesday that the suit was improperly commenced and therefore incompetent.
The case centred on INEC’s refusal to register ADA as a political party following what the commission described as an incomplete application — a “letter of intent” rather than a formal registration request. ADA promoters, including prominent figure Umar Ardo, accused INEC of double standards, pointing to the commission’s registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) via a court order despite NDC reportedly never making INEC’s pre-qualification shortlist.
“The appropriate mode of commencement of a suit where there is an allegation of fraud is writ of summons.”
Justice Nwite sided with co-defendants Akin Ricketts and Aminu Ahmed, who argued the suit should have been filed as a writ of summons — not an originating summons — given that it contained serious allegations of fraud. The court held that originating summons, which relies on affidavit evidence alone, denies parties the right to call and cross-examine witnesses, amounting to a violation of fair hearing principles.
The ruling carries significant consequences for ADA’s political ambitions. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the window for a successful appeal and subsequent completion of candidate nomination processes is rapidly closing. Under Nigerian law, no group can field candidates for public office without formal INEC registration — and independent candidacy is not permitted.
ADA had been among 14 pre-qualified associations shortlisted from over 170 applicants in September last year. However, by February 2026, INEC confirmed only two groups — the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the NDC — had met the conditions for registration. ADA’s path to the ballot now appears effectively blocked.
