ADA Official Sues INEC, Seeks NDC Deregistration

The protem Director of Organisation of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Ahidjo Karlahi, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the deregistration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Naija News reports that the suit, filed last Tuesday and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1115/2026, has been assigned to Justice Mohammed Umar.

Karlahi joined INEC and the NDC as first and second defendants in the suit.

The national leader and founder of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, had earlier said there was no pending litigation or appeal challenging the party’s registration.

Dickson, who spoke at the party’s maiden national convention in Abuja, insisted that the NDC was legally recognised and united ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, in the originating summons, Karlahi argued that the NDC failed to meet the constitutional and statutory requirements for registration as a political party.

He claimed the party did not fulfil conditions prescribed under Sections 221 to 225A of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

According to him, the NDC was not listed among prequalified associations in the 2025 political parties registration exercise.

Karlahi said, “The NDC was not listed among the prequalified associations for formal application in the 2025 political parties registration exercise.

“The NDC was not listed among those associations that paid the mandatory N2,000,000.00 administrative fee and received access codes to the INEC’s Application Portal for the 2025 registration exercise.

“The NDC did not access INEC’s dedicated Political Party Registration Portal during the 2025 registration exercise which is the only way to fill the Form EC15A.

“The NDC did not hence fill INEC’s mandatory form EC15A, which is the only valid means of formally applying for registration as a political party; and…

“The NDC was not listed among the pre-qualified political associations published by INEC as having applied. These are not mere allegations, they are matters of public record.”

Court Asked To Nullify Recognition

Karlahi asked the court to declare the continuing recognition of the NDC as unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, ultra vires, null and void.

He said the court should set aside INEC’s continuing recognition of the party’s certificate of registration.

Karlahi stated, “My suit respectfully prays the Court to, in essence, declare that the Constitution does not permit an entity that never satisfied constitutional conditions for registration to be registered and to continue enjoying the status of a political party.

“Declare the continuing administrative recognition of the NDC by INEC as unconstitutional and unlawful.

“Set aside the continuing recognition of NDC’s Certificate of Registration issued by INEC. Order INEC to halt its continuing recognition of the NDC from its official register of political parties;

“Forbid INEC from continuing to deal with the NDC as a political party; restrain the NDC from continuing to parade itself or continuing to participate in any electoral activity as a registered political party.”

Karlahi said the suit was filed in his personal capacity as a citizen and was not directed against any individual or group.

“This suit is instituted solely by me as a citizen to advance constitutionalism, the rule of law and electoral integrity in our democracy. It is not directed against any individual or group of persons,” he said.

He added that the action had no ulterior political or personal motive and was not filed on behalf of the ADA.

Karlahi added, “I believe that electoral integrity is the bedrock of constitutional democracy. If the process for registering political parties is compromised, the entire democratic edifice is at risk. This suit is my contribution to safeguarding that process.

“I call on all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion, to understand, support and be patient as this matter proceeds through the judicial process.

“The courts remain the last refuge of the common man and the ultimate guardian of our Constitution. I have faith in the judiciary and trust that justice will be done according to law.

“I urge the media, civil society and the general public to follow this case with the seriousness it deserves, not as a partisan squabble, but as a test of whether our constitutional order will be respected or eroded.”