2027 Polls: Court orders INEC to register, grant access code to ADA wiithin 72 hours

The Federal High Court in Abuja has compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a political party. Justice Peter Lifu's ruling mandates INEC to provide the Akin Ricketts-led faction of the association with an access code to its registration portal within 72 hours.

INEC had previously pre-qualified ADA among 14 associations seeking party status in October 2025. However, ADA accused the commission of wrongly releasing its access code to Umar Ardo, who they stated is neither the Pro-tem National Chairman nor the Secretary of the association. ADA argued that Ardo's subsequent actions on their behalf were unlawful and should be voided.

The association sought court intervention to ensure they could upload their necessary documents for registration. They also requested that information uploaded by Ardo be declared null and void, as it allegedly deviated from their letter of intent. The court's decision invalidates any actions previously taken by Ardo on behalf of the association and orders INEC to reopen its portal for one week to allow ADA to submit its required documents, including its membership register.

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INEC for releasing its access code to Ardo, declaring the action illegal, wrongful, null and void.