A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to generate and release an access code to the Chief Akin Rickett-led leadership of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), enabling the association to continue its registration as a political party.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, directed INEC to issue the access code to the association’s Protem Secretary within 72 hours. The court also ordered the electoral body to reopen its registration portal for one week to allow the upload of the party’s membership register and other statutory documents.
The judge held that INEC acted unlawfully by issuing the access code to Umar Ardo, who was neither the recognised Protem National Chairman nor Protem Secretary of the association.
Justice Lifu consequently declared the commission’s decision to issue the access code to Ardo illegal, wrongful, null and void, and invalidated all documents submitted and actions taken by him on behalf of the proposed political party during the registration process.
The suit was filed by the association through its counsel, Stephen Atabo, after INEC allegedly refused to issue the access code required to upload documents needed for the registration of the All Democratic Alliance in line with the Electoral Act and the commission’s guidelines.
The claimant argued that INEC breached the law by recognising Ardo instead of the Rickett-led leadership and sought a declaration that all information uploaded by Ardo to the commission’s registration portal was unlawful and should be set aside.
The association also asked the court to compel INEC to issue the access code to its recognised leadership, register the party and issue it a certificate of registration.
In addition, it sought an extension of the commission’s May 10, 2026 deadline for submitting its digital membership register and the May 30, 2026 deadline for submitting candidates.
After reviewing the evidence and arguments, Justice Lifu ruled that Ardo lacked the legal authority to act on behalf of the association and declared all steps taken by him in pursuit of the party’s registration invalid.
The court reaffirmed its order directing INEC to issue the access code within 72 hours and reopen its registration portal for one week to enable the association complete the registration process by uploading its membership register and other required documents.
