A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the access code required for the registration of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), paving the way for the political association to continue its registration process.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu ordered INEC to generate and release the access code to the party’s Protem Secretary within 72 hours.
The court held that the electoral commission acted unlawfully by issuing the access code to Umar Ardo, who was found not to be the recognised Protem Secretary of the association. Consequently, the judge declared the action illegal, null and void.
Justice Lifu also ordered INEC to reopen its registration portal for one week to allow the association upload all required documents, including its membership register, in line with legal requirements.
The suit was filed by the association through its counsel, Stephen Atabo, challenging INEC’s decision to grant access to Umar Ardo instead of the recognised leadership of the political group led by Akin Rickett.
The plaintiff argued that Ardo was neither the Protem National Chairman nor the Protem Secretary of the association and therefore lacked the authority to act on behalf of the party during the registration process.
The court was also asked to invalidate all information previously uploaded to INEC’s portal by Ardo, on the grounds that it did not reflect the details contained in the association’s original letter of intent.
In addition, the plaintiff sought an order directing INEC to issue the proper access code to the recognised leadership, complete the party’s registration process and issue its certificate of registration.
The suit also requested an extension of the deadlines for submitting the party’s digital membership register and candidates to the electoral commission.
After considering the arguments presented by all parties, Justice Lifu ruled that Umar Ardo was not a recognised official of the association and nullified every action taken on behalf of the All Democratic Alliance during the disputed registration process.
