A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to generate and release an Access Code to the Akin Ricketts-led leadership of the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, clearing the way for the party’s registration.
Justice Peter Lifu gave the order in a judgment delivered on Monday.
—72-hour deadline, one-week portal access–
The court directed INEC to release the Access Code to the Protem Secretary of ADA within 72 hours.
Justice Lifu also ordered INEC to open its portal for one week to enable the plaintiff to upload required documents, including the membership register, as stipulated by law.
—Court faults INEC’s earlier action—
The judge faulted INEC for issuing the Access Code to one Umar Ardo, who was not recognised as the Protem Secretary of the political association.
He declared INEC’s action “illegal, wrongful, null and void.”
Justice Lifu further nullified all steps and actions taken on behalf of ADA by Ardo, holding that he was neither the National Protem Chairman nor Secretary of the association.
–What the Plaintiff Sought–
The plaintiff, represented by counsel Stephen Atabo, dragged INEC and Ardo to court. He sought a declaration that INEC violated extant laws by issuing the Access Code to Ardo instead of the plaintiff, who is the Protem National Chairman.
The plaintiff also asked the court to declare that information uploaded by Ardo was at variance with the association’s letter of intent and should be declared “illegal, unlawful, null and void and of no effect.”
Other reliefs sought included:
1. An order directing INEC to release the Access Code to the plaintiff for uploading documents for registration as a political party.
2. An order directing INEC to register ADA as a political party and issue a Certificate of Registration.
3. An order extending the May 10, 2026 and May 30, 2026 deadlines for submission of the digital register of members and candidates respectively.
After reviewing submissions from all parties, Justice Lifu granted the orders sought.
Source: AriseNews TV
