The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Federal High Court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and four others, describing the judgment as a calculated attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu had ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for allegedly failing to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC condemned the decision, insisting it contradicts existing legal precedents and even INEC’s own position on the matter. The party argued that the electoral commission had previously informed the court that the ADC remained compliant with all constitutional and statutory requirements for political parties.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the ruling as an attack on democracy and warned against using the judiciary to silence opposition voices.
In his words:
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to warn, in the strongest possible terms, against any attempt to use the judiciary as an instrument to undermine democracy and plunge Nigeria into a major political crisis.”
The party also questioned the legal process that led to the judgment, alleging that the court proceeded with the case despite an existing Court of Appeal order directing that proceedings be stayed.
According to the ADC, the timing of the ruling is suspicious, coming shortly after the party concluded its primaries and intensified preparations for the 2027 elections.
The opposition party further accused the ruling APC-led government of attempting to weaken alternative political platforms and create an unfair advantage ahead of the next election cycle.
“Make no mistake, this is another act of desperation by the ruling party and the government to hand President Tinubu a second term without contest. This will not work,” the statement added.
Despite the ruling, the ADC vowed to challenge the judgment through all available legal channels and insisted that it would remain a major force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The party also announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the conduct of the trial judge while urging its members and supporters to remain calm and committed to democratic processes.
