ADC Condemns Court Ruling on Deregistration, Alleges Plot to Weaken Opposition
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned a Federal High Court ruling reportedly ordering its deregistration, describing the judgment as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process and alleging that it forms part of a broader effort to undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of delivering a judgment that contradicted constitutional provisions and disregarded a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal.
The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which sought the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties on the grounds that they had allegedly failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
However, the ADC maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body empowered by law to regulate political parties, had informed the court that there was no legal basis for its deregistration.
According to the statement, INEC, in a counter-affidavit filed before the court in May, affirmed that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements or failed to meet any constitutional threshold that would warrant deregistration.
“INEC categorically maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements, had not failed any constitutional electoral-performance threshold, and that no legally recognised basis existed for its de-registration,” the party stated.
The ADC further alleged that Justice Lifu proceeded with the matter despite being aware of a Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings.
“The judge chose to flagrantly and contemptuously disregard a clear order of a superior court in a manner that brings into question all known judicial traditions,” the statement said.
The opposition party also linked the case to what it described as efforts by individuals associated with the ruling party to weaken political opposition. It questioned the involvement of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in the matter, describing his participation as unusual.
The party said the timing of the ruling was particularly concerning, coming after it had concluded its primaries and prepared candidates for future elections, including the 2027 presidential election.
“We are therefore left in no doubt that this latest development is a continuation of the ruling party’s persistent efforts to undermine the opposition, especially the ADC,” Abdullahi said.
Warning against attempts to use judicial processes to eliminate opposition parties, the ADC said such actions could have serious implications for the country’s democratic stability.
“Any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring, thereby sabotaging the political aspirations of hundreds of its candidates, is a direct invitation to anarchy,” the party stated.
The ADC argued that the issue extends beyond the question of party registration and touches on the broader future of democratic competition in Nigeria.
“It is about whether the Nigerian people will be allowed genuine political choices in 2027. It is about whether democracy will remain a contest decided by voters at the ballot box or by powerful interests operating through institutions that ought to remain impartial,” the statement added.
The party vowed to challenge the judgment through all available legal channels and announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it described as misconduct by the trial judge.
“We reject any and all attempts to intimidate, suppress, deregister, or politically extinguish our party and other opposition parties through means that offend both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution,” Abdullahi said.
He assured party members, candidates and supporters that the ADC would continue to defend its rights and participate fully in the 2027 electoral process.
“We shall defend the rights of all our candidates, members, supporters, and the millions of Nigerians who are looking to the ADC as a credible alternative for national renewal,” he stated.
The party also called on its supporters across the country to remain calm and law-abiding while pursuing legal remedies.
“We call on all our members, candidates, supporters and coalition partners across the country to remain calm, vigilant and steadfast. Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold,” the statement concluded.
