A non-partisan civil society organization has taken legal action against Nigeria's electoral umpire, demanding the immediate removal of the Action Peoples Party (APP) from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) list of registered political parties.
Civic Action for Democracy (CAD) filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, with suit number FHC/OW/CS/03/2026. The group accuses INEC of unlawfully retaining the APP in its database despite the party's official deregistration more than five years ago.
According to CAD, INEC deregistered the APP on February 6, 2020, under Sections 225 and 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 94 of the Electoral Act, alongside 73 other parties that failed to meet performance thresholds. The Supreme Court reportedly upheld this action in March 2022. However, the APP continues to appear in INEC's records, which the group describes as illegal, potentially fraudulent, and a threat to electoral integrity.
Executive Director of CAD, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, addressed journalists after filing the case, stating: “We are challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s illegal retention of the deregistered Action Peoples Party in its database of registered political parties. This is not merely a legal action; it is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy, and we have taken the fight to the only arena where truth, law and justice can prevail.”
The suit seeks 21 specific reliefs, including court declarations that the APP's deregistration was lawful and valid, that INEC's claim of a restraining court order preventing removal is false and amounts to fraud, and a perpetual injunction barring INEC from recognizing the APP or permitting its involvement in any electoral processes.
CAD emphasized its independence, clarifying it has no ties to any political party and no stake in election outcomes beyond ensuring they occur with integrity and constitutional compliance. Ngoforo added: “Civic Action for Democracy is a non-partisan civil society organisation that has no affiliation with any political party and no interest in who wins or loses elections, provided those elections are conducted with integrity and in accordance with the Constitution.”
The group warned that allowing a deregistered party to remain listed could create an electoral anomaly, potentially exploited to undermine or nullify the 2027 general elections. It described the action as a defense of democracy, the rule of law, and protection against institutional corruption, urging supporters of transparent governance to stand firm.
INEC has not yet issued a public response to the suit, and no hearing date has been announced. The case highlights ongoing debates about INEC's enforcement of deregistration rules, party compliance, and safeguards against irregularities in Nigeria's electoral system ahead of future polls.
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