Nigeria’s political party register is undergoing another shake-up. With 22 parties previously recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a Federal High Court ruling on June 15, 2026 has ordered the deregistration of five parties for failing constitutional performance thresholds. The decision has redefined which groups can field candidates, access public funds, and appear on future ballots, while court orders have kept others on the register, reports by Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Our Managing Editor in Abuja.
INEC remains the sole constitutional body regulating political parties in Nigeria, with powers to register, monitor, and deregister groups that fail to meet legal requirements under the 1999 Constitution.
Before the June 2026 ruling, Nigeria had 22 recognized political parties, ranging from major platforms like APC and PDP to smaller movements contesting local and national seats.
The Federal High Court in Abuja directed INEC to deregister five parties specifically for not meeting performance thresholds, including winning at least 25% of votes cast in a state during elections.
The five parties affected by the court order are the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Action Peoples Party (APP); Action Alliance (AA); Accord (A); and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Deregistration means the affected parties can no longer present candidates, receive funding from INEC, or enjoy privileges accorded to registered political parties under the Electoral Act.
The ruling is not the first time courts have intervened in party registration. Several parties currently on INEC’s register maintain recognition due to judicial orders rather than standard electoral performance.
One example is the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, which INEC registered in February 2026 to comply with a Federal High Court order.
The National Democratic Party, NDP, also retains its recognition status due to a separate court order, even though it did not meet the usual post-election benchmarks.
Legal experts say court-ordered registrations and deregistration highlight the tension between INEC’s administrative powers and the judiciary’s role in interpreting constitutional provisions.
Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution empowers INEC to deregister parties that fail to win a seat in the National Assembly or State Assembly, or secure the prescribed percentage of votes.
The court’s June 2026 decision reinforces that standard, arguing that a bloated register of parties dilutes electoral choices and increases costs for INEC and voters.
Proponents of the ruling argue that fewer parties will simplify ballot papers, reduce voter confusion, and force political groups to build broader coalitions.
Critics, including some of the deregistered parties, contend that the decision narrows political pluralism and could shut out minority voices from the democratic process.
The ADC, APP, AA, Accord, and ZLP are expected to challenge the ruling or seek administrative remedies through INEC’s internal review processes.
Despite the shake-up, major parties such as the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remain unaffected and retain full recognition.
Other parties confirmed on INEC’s register include LP; NNPP; SDP; YPP; and All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA).
The broader list before the ruling also included the ADP, AAC, APM, BP, DLA, NRM, PRP, YP, and one additional registered party, bringing the total to 22.
With five parties removed and two court-protected parties retained, Nigeria’s legally recognized party count now stands at 17, subject to further appeals.
INEC has been urged to publish an updated, legally binding register through its Official Directory so stakeholders and voters can verify the current status of all parties.
As Nigeria approaches future elections, the interplay between constitutional thresholds, INEC’s regulatory role, and court interventions will continue to shape the country’s multi-party democracy and the options available to voters.
