Federal High Court Dismisses Wisdom Party Registration Suit

Background of the Case In April 2026, Chief Mrs Chinasa Nwekeke, acting as the pro‑tem National Chairman of the Wisdom Party (WP), filed a lawsuit in the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit, identified as FHC//ABJ/CS/746/2026, was presented by her lawyer, Mark Agbo, and named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the sole defendant.

The Wisdom Party had submitted a letter of intent to INEC on 22 September 2026, outlining its name, symbol and logo. After 90 days of no response from INEC, Nwekeke argued that the commission’s silence amounted to a no‑objection to the party’s credentials.

Legal Arguments Nwekeke’s petition sought several declarations: - That INEC’s failure to reply to the letter of intent should be treated as a no‑objection to the party’s name, symbol and acronym. - That the administrative fee provisions under Section 75(6) of the Electoral Act 2022 were unreasonable, unwarranted and inconsistent with other sections of the Act. - That the establishment of INEC’s Fund under Sections 3(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, which covers the commission’s total expenditure, was unjustified.

She also requested that Section 75(6), which allows INEC to levy a fee on political associations for registration, be struck down as inconsistent with Section 4(1)(f) of the same Act.

Court’s Decision Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment, concluding that the plaintiff’s claim lacked merit and that the suit had become academic. The court dismissed the case, effectively denying the Wisdom Party’s request for registration.

The decision was issued 88 days before the scheduled 2027 presidential election, leaving the Wisdom Party without official party status.

Implications The ruling underscores the strict procedural requirements for party registration under the Electoral Act 2022. It also highlights the judiciary’s role in interpreting the Act’s provisions, particularly regarding administrative fees and the handling of letters of intent.

While the Wisdom Party had sought to expedite its registration, the court’s dismissal means the party must either re‑file its application following INEC’s standard procedures or pursue alternative political avenues.

Conclusion The Federal High Court’s dismissal of the Wisdom Party registration suit reaffirms the legal framework governing political party formation in Nigeria. The case serves as a reminder that registration processes are governed by statutory provisions that courts will scrutinise closely.