2027 Polls: Court orders INEC to register, grant access code to ADA wiithin 72 hours
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a political party.
Justice Peter Lifu presided over the case, ruling that INEC must provide the Akin Ricketts-led leadership of ADA with its access code within 72 hours.
The court’s decision follows INEC’s announcement in October 2025 that ADA was among 14 pre-qualified associations that had successfully submitted all required information and documentation for registration as political parties. Although INEC advanced ADA and seven other groups to the next phase of the registration process, the association alleged that its access code was improperly granted to a third party, Umar Ardo, who is not affiliated with ADA’s leadership.
ADA argued in court that it needed the access code to upload necessary information and documents for its registration. The association claimed that INEC’s issuing of the access code to Ardo was a violation of existing laws.
In its petition, the association requested the court to declare that Ardo’s actions, including any information submitted to INEC on behalf of ADA, were illegitimate and contrary to its official documentation.
Additionally, ADA sought an order for INEC to officially register the party and issue a certificate of registration. The association also asked the court to extend submission deadlines for its digital member register to May 10, 2026, and candidate submissions to May 30, 2026.
Justice Lifu criticized INEC for its error in granting Ardo access to the codes, deeming the action illegal and void. He instructed INEC to reopen its portal for one week to allow ADA to upload the required documents, which include its membership register.
The court also invalidated any previous actions taken on behalf of ADA by Ardo. Although Ricketts requested 96 hours for INEC to generate the access code, Justice Lifu specified a deadline of 72 hours.
