A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish the names of candidates submitted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the February 21, 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections. The ruling was delivered on January 21, 2026, in a suit filed by 17 ADC candidates who challenged INEC’s refusal to grant their party electronic access to upload nomination details to the commission’s portal.
In a case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1907/25, the plaintiffs argued that they met all legal requirements for participation following substitution primary elections conducted after withdrawals of earlier nominees. The court found their evidence credible and sufficient to merit judicial relief, concluding that INEC’s refusal hindered their lawful participation in the upcoming polls.
The judge ordered INEC to recognise the plaintiffs as official ADC candidates and directed the commission to grant the party electronic access to upload their names, which must then be published on the electoral portal in compliance with relevant sections of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s own guidelines.
The decision affects candidates contesting various local government area council seats across the FCT, including positions in the Abuja Municipal Area Council and other area councils. These candidates had previously been unable to upload their nomination forms, specifically Forms EC9 and EC13, due to alleged procedural barriers related to a change in party leadership and portal access codes.
The court’s order emphasises that INEC must facilitate the nomination process without undue obstruction, reinforcing legal obligations aimed at inclusive and fair participation by registered political parties in electoral contests.
