CAD files suit demanding INEC remove deregistered APP, citing constitutional breaches and threats to electoral integrity in Nigeria
Civic Action for Democracy (CAD) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Owerri, calling for the immediate removal of the Action Peoples Party (APP) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register.
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Speaking to journalists after filing the case, bearing suit number FHC/OW/CS/03/2026, Executive Director Mazi Franklin Ngoforo said the action became necessary after findings revealed that the deregistered APP remains in INEC’s database.
Ngoforo described the situation as an electoral misnomer, warning that allowing the APP to participate in any election would undermine the nation’s democratic integrity.
“We are challenging INEC’s illegal retention of the deregistered Action Peoples Party in its database of registered political parties. This is not merely a legal action; it is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy,” he said.
The suit seeks 21 reliefs, including declarations that the APP was lawfully deregistered on 6 February 2020 and that INEC’s claim of a restraining court order preventing the action is false and constitutes fraud.
CAD is also demanding a perpetual injunction preventing the electoral commission from recognising the APP or allowing it to participate in any elections.
Ngoforo emphasised that the case is non-partisan and focused solely on protecting constitutional governance and the rule of law.
“Civic Action for Democracy has no political affiliations and no interest in who wins or loses elections, provided those elections are conducted with integrity and in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.
He warned that those opposing the action are effectively endorsing electoral fraud and institutional corruption.
Ngoforo added that the APP’s continued presence in INEC’s register could be exploited to disrupt the 2027 general elections.
According to the CAD executive, the party was deregistered under Sections 225 and 225A of the Constitution and Section 94 of the Electoral Act, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court in March 2022.
He questioned INEC’s reluctance to comply with the court order, calling on Nigerians who value democracy to defend the Constitution.
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“Not on our watch, not in our Nigeria, and not without a fight. The path will be challenging, but we go forward with confidence because we have truth, law and justice on our side,” Ngoforo asserted.
