Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation has aligned with a lawsuit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, over alleged violations of constitutional provisions governing political party operations.
The position was formally presented in a notice filed at the court, where the Attorney General is joined as a defendant alongside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a number of political parties, among them the Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, Accord, and Zenith Labour Party.
In the filing, the AGF stated that its involvement is grounded in its constitutional mandate to uphold the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, noting that it may bring, defend, or support actions aimed at ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements.
The notice referenced Section 150(1) of the Constitution, which outlines the Attorney General’s responsibilities, including the enforcement of laws such as the Electoral Act. It added that the office is obligated to act in the public interest by ensuring proper interpretation and application of the law.
The AGF also argued that its role includes both representing the state and safeguarding citizens’ rights, stressing that supporting the suit is consistent with promoting justice and ensuring lawful governance.
It further stated that the intervention is intended to improve access to justice, particularly for individuals who may not have the resources to pursue constitutional claims independently.
According to the filing, the continued operation of political parties that fail to meet constitutional requirements contributes to overcrowded ballots, higher election costs, and administrative difficulties, which it argued runs contrary to Section 225A of the Constitution.
The AGF maintained that INEC is bound by constitutional provisions and does not have discretion to retain parties that fail to meet the required standards, warning that failure to deregister such parties could amount to a breach of duty.
The case adds to ongoing legal debates surrounding the regulation of political parties in Nigeria and the extent of INEC’s powers under the constitutional and electoral framework.
