Party files suit against INEC, demanding withdrawal of NDC registration.

An aggrieved political association, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), and its Protem Director of Mobilization, Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi, have taken the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are seeking a court order that compels INEC to withdraw the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party in Nigeria.

ADA and Karlahi argue that the NDC, led by Senator Seriake Dickson, was illegally and fraudulently registered by INEC for the purpose of participating in the country’s election processes.

In the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1115/2026, the plaintiffs allege that INEC gravely breached, disobeyed, ignored, omitted, and deliberately failed to ensure compliance with relevant laws in the manner in which the NDC was secretly registered.

Among other points, Karlahi and ADA claim that the electoral body failed to comply with sections 1, 6, 13, 14, 222, and 251 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act, during the registration of the NDC.

The suit, initiated by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Bankole Joel Akomolafe through an originating summons, contends that the NDC never met any of the constitutional requirements necessary for registration as a political party.

They further assert that INEC does not possess unfettered discretion to register the NDC as a political party.

Consequently, the plaintiffs request that the Federal High Court issue an order that voids, sets aside, cancels, and revokes the purported certificate of registration held by the NDC.

The plaintiffs also seek a perpetual injunction preventing INEC from further recognizing, accepting, maintaining in its records, or presenting any person on behalf of the NDC as a political party for any election.

Additionally, they request a perpetual injunction against the NDC, restraining it from presenting, introducing, or calling itself a registered political party through publication, broadcast, or any other means.

The suit, filed on June 2, 2026, is supported by a 25‑paragraph affidavit sworn by the first plaintiff, Hon. Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi.

While Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi and the All Democratic Alliance are the plaintiffs, INEC and the Nigeria Democratic Congress are named as the defendants.

At present, no hearing date has been set for the new suit.