Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Federal High Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Accord Party, Three Others for Poor Poll Performance
Justice Peter Lifu rules affected parties failed constitutional benchmarks; INEC yet to issue official reaction as 2027 polls approach
Justice Peter Lifu rules affected parties failed constitutional benchmarks; INEC yet to issue official reaction as 2027 polls approach
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, over their failure to meet constitutional requirements for electoral performance. The judgement was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Friday, following a suit brought by former lawmakers who argued that underperforming parties should not remain on the political register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The affected parties—Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and ADC—were said to have failed to win any seat in recent elections or secure at least 25 percent of votes in any state during the last presidential poll. Plaintiffs maintained that keeping parties with little or no electoral support only clutters the ballot and undermines Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
According to court documents, the suit sought clarification on whether INEC is constitutionally mandated to deregister political parties that do not satisfy Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The plaintiffs claimed that none of the five parties met minimum criteria during the 2023 general election or subsequent by-elections—criteria which include winning seats in the National Assembly or state legislatures, or achieving significant vote thresholds at federal and local levels.
Justice Lifu, in his ruling, agreed with arguments presented by the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to remove the five parties from its register. He stated that allowing such parties to continue operations contradicts constitutional provisions and could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. “Keeping political parties that do not meet constitutional standards on the ballot paper is a breach of Section 225A,” Justice Lifu held.
INEC has not issued a public statement regarding the court’s decision as at press time. The ruling is expected to have major implications for smaller parties seeking relevance ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections in 2027. Political analysts say this development may prompt other minor parties to intensify grassroots mobilisation or risk deregistration before future polls.
Nigeria News (Standard)
BudgIT Flags 2026 National Budget as ‘Ambitious but Unviable’
Civic tech group cautions federal government on revenue assumptions, urges focus on realistic fiscal planning
Civic tech group cautions federal government on revenue assumptions, urges focus on realistic fiscal planning
BudgIT, a prominent civic technology organisation, has described the proposed 2026 national budget as ambitious but unviable, raising concerns about the federal government’s revenue projections and capacity to implement planned programmes. The group made this observation in Abuja on Monday, 15 June.
According to BudgIT, while the scale of the 2026 budget reflects a desire to drive economic growth and address Nigeria’s developmental challenges, the underlying assumptions about revenue generation may not align with current realities. The organisation pointed out that past budgets have suffered from poor implementation due to over-optimistic forecasts and limited actual inflows.
The group stressed that many Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of previous budgets, especially in critical sectors like education, health, and infrastructure. BudgIT advised government to prioritise fiscal discipline and base its expenditure plans on realistic estimates from oil receipts, taxes, and other sources.
Although no official response from federal authorities was available as at press time, BudgIT’s position is likely to fuel further debate among policy experts and lawmakers about the viability of government spending targets. Stakeholders have long called for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s budgeting process.
With inflation remaining high and the naira still under pressure against major currencies, analysts say effective budget execution will require careful monitoring of both revenue collection and project delivery across all ministries. The National Assembly is expected to commence its review of the budget proposal in the coming weeks.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Jails Three for Boko Haram Links After Mass Trial
Judgement comes amid ongoing clampdown on terror suspects; rights advocates urge transparency in prosecution process
Judgement comes amid ongoing clampdown on terror suspects; rights advocates urge transparency in prosecution process
An Abuja court has sentenced three individuals to prison after finding them guilty of having links to the Boko Haram terrorist group. The verdict, delivered on Monday, follows a mass trial of suspects accused of supporting or participating in activities connected to the insurgency that has plagued Nigeria’s North-East for over a decade.
The convictions were handed down as part of a broader judicial process targeting those alleged to have aided Boko Haram operations. Details regarding the specific charges or length of sentences were not immediately made public. Security officials confirmed that the judgement is part of continued efforts by government to dismantle terror networks and bring collaborators to justice.
The prosecution of terror-related cases has drawn attention from both local and international observers due to its significance in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Mass trials have previously raised concerns among human rights groups, who insist on adherence to due process and fair trial standards. However, authorities maintain that such measures are necessary given the scale and complexity of terrorism cases in the country.
Security agencies have repeatedly stated their commitment to rooting out supporters of terrorist groups. Rights advocates continue to call for greater transparency and independent monitoring during high-profile cases involving alleged Boko Haram members. The latest convictions are expected to bolster efforts by security agencies even as calls persist for improved rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for former suspects found not guilty.
Further details about the identities of those convicted or possible appeals were not available as at press time.
Nigeria News (Standard)
INEC Deregisters ADC, Others in Abuja as Opposition Parties Vow Court Action
Move sparks backlash from opposition, who describe the decision as undemocratic and threaten to challenge INEC in court
Move sparks backlash from opposition, who describe the decision as undemocratic and threaten to challenge INEC in court
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deregistered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with several other political parties in Abuja on Monday, 15 June 2026, a decision that has drawn sharp reactions from opposition figures who say they will seek redress in court. The electoral body announced the move citing non-compliance with registration requirements and poor performance during recent elections.
According to INEC officials, the affected parties failed to meet constitutional criteria including winning a minimum number of seats in legislative assemblies and scoring sufficient votes in national elections. The commission said this step is aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s crowded political space and ensuring that only viable parties remain active participants.
The deregistration has immediate implications for the country’s political landscape, especially as Nigeria approaches another round of key elections. Many opposition leaders argue that such actions undermine multiparty democracy and restrict voter choice. In previous cycles, similar decisions by INEC have faced legal challenges, some of which resulted in reinstatement of affected parties.
Reacting to the announcement, leaders of deregistered parties described INEC’s decision as arbitrary and vowed to contest it in court. “This is a deliberate attempt to silence alternative voices,” one opposition figure said. Another chieftain warned that the action could set a dangerous precedent for future elections. Meanwhile, supporters of the move insist it will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by encouraging more serious contenders.
The next steps will likely involve protracted legal battles between deregistered parties and INEC, with broader implications for political participation across all six geopolitical zones. Observers say the outcome could shape how Nigeria regulates party registration ahead of upcoming polls.
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