Court Directs INEC to Register ADA, Issue Access Code in 72 Hours

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a political party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, also directed INEC to provide the association’s access code to the Akin Ricketts-led leadership within 72 hours.

The court additionally ordered the commission to reopen its portal for one week to allow ADA upload required documents, including its membership register.

ADA had approached the court after alleging that INEC wrongly released its access code to Umar Ardo, whom the association said was neither its Pro-tem National Chairman nor Secretary.

The association argued that the information uploaded by Ardo on INEC’s portal did not match details in its official letter of intent and should therefore be declared invalid.

INEC had earlier announced in October 2025 that ADA was among 14 pre-qualified associations seeking registration as political parties.

The commission also cleared ADA and seven others for the next phase of registration after verifying their submitted documents.

In its suit, ADA asked the court to compel INEC to issue the access code to its recognised leadership and formally register the association as a political party.

The group further requested an extension of deadlines for the submission of its membership register and candidate details.

Justice Lifu ruled in favour of the association, declaring INEC’s release of the access code to Ardo “illegal, wrongful, null and void.”

The judge also invalidated all actions previously taken by Ardo on behalf of ADA.

Although ADA requested 96 hours for INEC to hand over the access code, the court granted the commission 72 hours to comply with the order.

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