ADC Rejects Court Order to Deregister Party, Warns of Democratic Crisis

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected a Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration alongside four other political parties, warning that the ruling is a dangerous attempt to weaponize the judiciary against Nigeria’s multi-party system.

The order, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja on Monday, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The ruling followed a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to meet the constitutional performance thresholds mandated by Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, such as winning elected offices or securing at least 25 percent of votes in a state during presidential polls.

In a strongly worded response shared on X, titled “You Are Playing With Fire,” the ADC condemned the ruling as unconstitutional and politically motivated. The party revealed that INEC itself had defended the ADC during the proceedings, maintaining that the party met all legal requirements, had not breached any electoral thresholds, and that no legal basis existed for its deregistration.

Furthermore, the ADC faulted the trial court for delivering the judgment despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, which had directed a stay of proceedings on the matter. The party described the High Court’s action as a flagrant breach of judicial hierarchy.

The opposition party claimed the timing of the ruling is highly suspicious, coming right after the conclusion of its primary elections as it prepares candidates for the 2027 general elections. The ADC alleged that the judgment is a calculated attempt by the ruling party to shrink the democratic space and eliminate strong opposition ahead of the next presidential cycle.

Vowing to contest the judgment through all lawful channels, the ADC announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) against the presiding judge for alleged misconduct. The party urged its supporters to remain calm, asserting that it will take all necessary constitutional measures to defend its candidates and remain on the ballot.