A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to generate and release an access code to the leadership of the All Democratic Alliance, led by Chief Akin Rickett, to enable the group to continue its registration process as a political party.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the ruling on Monday, ordered the electoral commission to provide the access code to the association’s Protem Secretary within 72 hours.
The court also instructed INEC to reopen its registration portal for one week to allow the association upload its membership register and other required documents.
The judge held that INEC acted unlawfully when it issued the access code to Umar Ardo, ruling that Ardo was neither the recognised Protem National Chairman nor the Protem Secretary of the association.
According to the court, “The commission’s decision to issue the access code to Umar Ardo was unlawful, null and void, as he lacked the legal authority to act on behalf of the association.”
Justice Lifu further declared that every document submitted and every action taken by Ardo in connection with ADA’s registration process had no legal effect.
The suit was filed by the association through its counsel, Stephen Atabo, after INEC allegedly declined to issue the access code needed to upload documents required under the Electoral Act and the commission’s registration guidelines.
The association argued that INEC wrongly recognised Ardo instead of the leadership headed by Chief Rickett and asked the court to invalidate all information Ardo uploaded to the commission’s registration portal.
The claimant also sought an order compelling INEC to issue the access code to the recognised leadership, complete the registration process, and grant the association a certificate of registration. It equally requested an extension of the commission’s deadlines for submitting its digital membership register and other registration requirements.
In its judgment, the court agreed that Ardo lacked the legal authority to represent the association.
Justice Lifu stated, “INEC is hereby directed to issue the access code to the recognised leadership within 72 hours and reopen its registration portal for one week to enable the association complete the registration process.”
The ruling is expected to allow the All Democratic Alliance to resume its registration process in line with the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.
