A Federal High Court in Abuja has cleared the path for the registration of the All Democratic Alliance [ADA], ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to release an access code to the party’s protem leadership led by Chief Akin Ricketts.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu directed INEC to generate and release the access code to ADA’s Protem Secretary within 72 hours. The court also ordered INEC to open its registration portal for one week to allow the party to upload required documents, including its membership register.
Justice Lifu faulted INEC for issuing the access code to Mr. Umar Ardo, whom the court said was neither the recognized Protem National Chairman nor Secretary. The judge declared INEC’s action “illegal, wrongful, null and void,” and nullified all steps taken by Ardo on behalf of ADA.
What is an INEC Access Code?*
1. It’s a digital key: INEC issues a unique access code to a new political association after it submits a valid “letter of intent”.
2. Portal access only: The code allows only the recognized protem chairman or secretary to upload required documents to INEC’s portal.
3. Not yet registered: The code starts the process, but full registration depends on INEC’s verification and approval.
