Nigeria’s Attorney General backs suit to deregister ADC, other parties

…cites constitutional breaches

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has backed a suit seeking the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over alleged constitutional breaches.

The position was contained in a notice filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026.

Defendants in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the AGF, ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The AGF described his office as “the custodian and protector of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” adding that it has a duty to support actions that enforce constitutional provisions.

“It is the constitutional responsibility of the Attorney General of the Federation to bring, defend or support any action for the observance of the provisions of the Constitution,” the notice stated.

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He further argued that under Section 150(1) of the Constitution, the office is responsible for the execution of laws, including the Electoral Act regulating elections.

The filing added that the AGF “has a dual role as both an advocate for the state and defender of citizens’ rights” and must act in the public interest.

On party regulation, the AGF maintained that INEC has “no residual discretion” to retain parties that fail to meet the threshold in Section 225A of the Constitution.

“The continued existence of non-performing political parties will inflate ballots, burden public funds, complicate election administration and undermine the constitutional intention,” the notice stated.

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The AGF warned that any failure by INEC to act could amount to a continuing breach of constitutional duty, adding that the case underscores ongoing legal disputes over party regulation and electoral governance in Nigeria.

BusinessDay reports that the suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against INEC, the Attorney‑General of the Federation (AGF), and the affected political parties.

Earlier, counsel to the NFFL, Yakubu Ruba (SAN), told the court that the suit seeks judicial interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions governing the registration and continued recognition of political parties in Nigeria.

“We are before the court purely for constitutional interpretation. Some parties, in our view, have acted in breach of the Constitution, and we seek the court’s guidance on the relevant provisions,” he said.