Court Orders INEC to Issue ADA Registration Access Code in 72 Hours

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a registration access code to the Chief Akin Ricketts-led All Democratic Alliance (ADA) within 72 hours, enabling its registration for the 2027 elections.

Justice Lifu of the High Court faulted the electoral commission for issuing the registration of the political association to Dr Umar Ado, who claimed to be the association’s protem secretary, declaring the action wrongful, illegal, and void.

The judgement arose from a dispute within the political association over control of its registration process. INEC had recognised Dr Umar Ardo, who claimed to be ADA’s Protem National Secretary, but the Akin Ricketts-led leadership challenged the decision in court, arguing that Ardo was not the authorised official to receive the access code and that INEC’s action disrupted the association’s registration.

To seek redress for INEC’s decision, the plaintiff, through his counsel, Stephen Atabo, approached the High Court, seeking a declaration that the electoral body violated the existing laws by issuing the access code to an individual who is neither the Protem National Chairman nor the secretary of the association, rather than the plaintiff, who is the Protem National Chairman.

Chief Rickett also pleaded with the court to declare that the information uploaded on the INEC registration portal on behalf of the political association was done by a wrongful person, noting that it violated the extant law as it was at variance with the information in the plaintiff’s letter of intent and should therefore be declared illegal, unlawful, null and void and of no effect.

Additionally, he prayed to the court to order INEC to grant the plaintiff access codes so they could upload their documents and information to register their association as a political party‎. The Plaintiff also asked for an order directing INEC to register their political association as a political party and, as well, issue a certificate of registration to the plaintiff.

In its ruling, the court agreed with the Ricketts-led faction, holding that the commission’s decision to issue the access code to Ardo was unlawful. The court consequently ordered INEC to issue a fresh access code to the recognised Protem Secretary, enabling the association to proceed with its registration.

The judge also ordered the electoral commission to reopen its portal for one week to enable the plaintiff to upload the documents required for the registration process, including the party’s membership register.

While the ruling is a major legal win for the ADA, it does not automatically register the party. Rather, it gives the association access to INEC’s registration portal again, enabling it to proceed with the registration process in accordance with INEC’s guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Under Nigerian electoral law, associations seeking recognition as political parties must meet all constitutional and statutory requirements before INEC can formally register them.

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