The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed a Federal High Court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party alongside four others, describing the judgment as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered INEC to remove the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party from the register of political parties.
The decision followed allegations that the parties failed to satisfy electoral performance requirements outlined in Section 225A of the amended 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
The case was initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which sought the court’s interpretation on whether INEC was obligated to deregister political parties that failed to achieve specified electoral benchmarks.
These benchmarks include obtaining at least 25 per cent of votes in any state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective position.
Responding through a statement posted on X and titled, “You Are Playing With Fire, ADC Warns Government Agents Seeking Party De-registration”, the party condemned the judgment, arguing that it conflicts with established legal principles and INEC’s own submissions before the court.
“The African Democratic Congress 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.”
According to the ADC, INEC had informed the court that the party remained compliant with all registration conditions and did not meet any constitutional grounds for deregistration.
The party stated that 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.”
It added that the electoral commission maintained that deregistration “cannot be driven by political pressure, sentiment, or the wishes of interested parties,” but must be anchored strictly on constitutional provisions.
The ADC also challenged the legality of the proceedings, claiming the trial court continued with the matter despite an order issued by the Court of Appeal on 22 May 2026 directing that proceedings be stayed. It argued that such action violated established judicial procedures and hierarchy.
“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,” the party said.
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Questioning the timing of the judgment, the ADC noted that the ruling came after the party had completed its primaries and begun preparations for the 2027 general elections, including the presidential race.
The party warned of the wider implications of the decision, stating that “any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring… is a direct invitation to anarchy.”
“This is why we consider this ruling reckless, provocative, and even incendiary,” it added, while arguing that efforts to “manipulate institutions of state to narrow the democratic space” amounted to playing with forces beyond partisan control.
The ADC maintained that the issue now extends beyond the question of party registration and touches on the ability of Nigerians to freely choose among political alternatives in the 2027 elections.
“Let it be clearly stated: the ADC will not stand by while the democratic rights of millions of Nigerians are threatened.
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.”
The party stressed that Nigeria operates under the rule of law rather than political influence and vowed to pursue every available constitutional and legal option to overturn the ruling. It also pledged to engage democratic stakeholders while protecting its candidates and supporters across the country.
Accusing the ruling party of seeking an unfair advantage ahead of the next general election, the ADC declared: “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 party further cautioned against attempts to “manufacture a civilian dictatorship,” saying any instability arising from such actions would be the responsibility of those involved.
In addition, the ADC announced plans to file a petition with the National Judicial Council, accusing the presiding judge of misconduct and alleging that the handling of the case had damaged the image of the judiciary.
While calling on its members, supporters and coalition partners to remain peaceful and alert, the party reaffirmed its determination to participate in the next election cycle.
“Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold.”