A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered INEC to reinstate Access Party's registration process. The court also directed the electoral body to issue an Access Code enabling the party to complete its registration.
Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu delivered the ruling on Wednesday. The case was filed by Dr.
Audu Bulama Bukarti and Mevon Samuel on behalf of Access Party members.
Access Party submitted its registration application to INEC on December 23, 2024. Months later, INEC halted the process without valid justification.
The electoral body cited logo unsuitability as reason for the rejection. INEC claimed the eagle-shaped logo resembled that of the Democratic Leadership Party, an unregistered association.
Party officials challenged INEC's decision in court immediately. They argued the two logos were clearly distinct from each other.
According to the plaintiffs, INEC violated constitutional provisions in its actions. They said the electoral body had no lawful authority to block an otherwise compliant application.
Justice Egwuatu agreed with the party's arguments completely. He declared INEC's September 12, 2025 letter unlawful and unconstitutional.
The court found that Access Party's proposed logo meets all legal requirements for registration. It also determined the logo is suitable and compliant with statutory provisions.
In his landmark judgment, the judge ruled INEC acted arbitrarily and unfairly. He noted that relying on an unregistered party's logo to block registration violated natural justice principles.
The court quashed INEC's rejection letter entirely. Justice Egwuatu ordered the electoral body to reinstate the entire registration process immediately.
INEC must now issue the required Access Code to Access Party. This will allow party officials to download and submit Form EC 15A(1) with supporting documents.
Required documents include the party's constitution, manifesto, and membership register. The court also mandated submission of minutes from the National Executive Committee election.
The bench awarded N500,000 in damages against INEC. This compensation recognizes the unlawful interruption of Access Party's legitimate application process.
Bukarti, the lead plaintiff, hailed the judgment as groundbreaking for Nigeria's democracy. He said the ruling protects citizens' constitutional right to form political associations.
Access Party now moves forward with completing its formal registration. Party officials expressed gratitude to the judiciary for upholding the rule of law.
