A Nigerian citizen, Patrick Ukura, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the legitimacy of the names of two registered political parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the African Action Alliance (AAC) — describing them as misleading.
Ukura, in a suit filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before Justice James Omotosho, is asking the court to compel the electoral body to either mandate a change of name for the two parties or deregister them entirely. His argument is anchored on the claim that the use of the word “African” is inappropriate for political parties whose operations are confined strictly to Nigeria.
In the originating summons, Ukura raised two key questions for the court’s determination: whether the names ADC and AAC are misleading in their ordinary meaning, and whether INEC possesses the statutory authority under the Electoral Act 2022 to direct political parties to change misleading names or face deregistration.
According to the plaintiff, the term “African” ordinarily denotes a continental scope or representation of Africa and its peoples. He contends that its use by Nigerian political parties creates a false impression of pan-African coverage, which does not reflect their legal or operational reality.
“We urge the court to hold that the inclusion of the word ‘African’ in the names of ADC and AAC is misleading and should be expunged,” Ukura stated in his court filings.
Beyond the legal questions raised, the plaintiff is seeking several declarations and consequential orders from the court. These include a declaration affirming INEC’s power to deregister political parties or direct a change of name where such names are found to be inappropriate, as well as a declaration that the names ADC and AAC are unsuitable within the Nigerian political context.
Ukura further asked the court to compel INEC to direct both parties to commence a name-change process within 30 days, failing which INEC should deregister them. He also requested a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from registering political parties with misleading names in the future, alongside an award of ₦10 million as the cost of the suit.
The case is grounded in the regulatory powers granted to INEC under the Electoral Act 2022, particularly its authority over the registration, monitoring, and regulation of political parties. Ukura argues that political party names must accurately reflect their territorial scope to avoid misrepresentation.
If the court rules in favor of the plaintiff, the implications could be far-reaching. Both ADC and AAC would be compelled to undergo a complete rebranding exercise, potentially eroding the political identity, goodwill, and public recognition they have built over the years.
The impact would be especially significant for the ADC, which was adopted in July 2025 as the platform of a major opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coalition includes high-profile political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-ministers Rotimi Amaechi and Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark.
A forced name change or deregistration at this critical stage could severely disrupt the opposition’s electoral strategy and preparations for the 2027 polls.
Beyond its immediate political implications, the suit raises broader legal questions about the limits of INEC’s regulatory authority and whether the use of continental or geographic descriptors in party names can amount to false representation.
The case has been fixed for mention on February 17, 2026, when the court is expected to consider preliminary issues and determine the next steps. As of the time of filing this report, INEC, the ADC, and the AAC had yet to issue any official response.
The eventual outcome may establish a precedent that reshapes how political party names are approved and regulated in Nigeria.