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Samuel Ogidan
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a Federal High Court judgment concerning its de-registration, describing the ruling as a threat to democracy and political stability, and warns of the dire consequences that may follow any effort to remove the party from the ballot.
The party described the ruling as a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy and warned that any attempt to remove it from the ballot could trigger serious political consequences.
ADC, in a statement on Monday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was part of a broader plot to undermine opposition politics and guarantee President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a second term in office.
The party maintained that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) possesses the constitutional authority to register or deregister political parties and argued that the court’s decision contradicted both constitutional provisions and INEC’s position in the matter.
According to the ADC, INEC had, in a counter-affidavit filed before the court, stated that the party had not violated any constitutional or electoral requirements that could warrant deregistration. The electoral body was also said to have maintained that no legally recognised basis existed for removing the party from Nigeria’s political landscape.
The opposition party further questioned the validity of the ruling, noting that the Court of Appeal had earlier issued a stay of proceedings on the matter on May 22, 2026. It accused the trial judge of disregarding the subsisting appellate court order.
“The issue before the country is no longer simply about party registration. It is about whether Nigerians will be allowed genuine political choices in 2027,” the statement said.
The ADC also alleged political interference in the case, claiming that individuals linked to the Presidency had championed the suit seeking the deregistration of the party and other opposition platforms.
Warning against what it described as attempts to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space, the party said any effort to eliminate a major opposition party through judicial means would amount to a direct attack on democracy and the political rights of millions of Nigerians.
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 termed judicial misconduct by the presiding judge.
Despite the ruling, the ADC expressed confidence that it would remain a participant in the 2027 elections.
“We reject any attempt to intimidate, suppress, deregister or politically extinguish our party. Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold,” the statement added.
The party urged its members, candidates, supporters and coalition partners across the country to remain calm and await further directives as it pursues legal action against the judgment.