•••Judge nullifies access granted to rival faction, directs electoral body to reopen portal for one week
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the registration access code for the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA) within 72 hours, paving the way for the political association to continue its bid for registration as a political party.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, directed INEC to release the access code to the association’s recognised Protem Secretary under the leadership of Chief Akin Ricketts and reopen its registration portal for one week to enable the upload of all statutory documents, including the party’s membership register.
The court held that INEC acted unlawfully by issuing the registration access code to Umar Ardo, whom it found was neither the recognised Protem National Chairman nor Protem Secretary of the association.
Justice Lifu consequently declared the commission’s earlier decision illegal, null and void, and invalidated every action taken by Ardo in relation to ADA’s registration process.
The suit arose from a leadership dispute within the association after the Ricketts-led faction challenged INEC’s decision to grant portal access to Ardo, arguing that he lacked the legal authority to act on behalf of the proposed political party.
While the plaintiffs urged the court to compel INEC to register ADA as a political party, the judgment principally directed the electoral commission to restore the registration process by issuing the correct access code and reopening the portal, allowing the association to complete the requirements prescribed under the Electoral Act.
The ruling is regarded as a significant legal victory for the Ricketts-led leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections, although the association must still satisfy all constitutional and statutory conditions before INEC can formally register it as a political party.
