THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected a Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and four other political parties, warning that the ruling represents a dangerous attempt to weaponise the judiciary against Nigeria’s democratic system.
News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Monday directed INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) over their alleged failure to meet constitutional performance thresholds stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act 2022.
The suit, instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators, sought a judicial interpretation on whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to meet electoral benchmarks, including securing at least 25 per cent of votes in any state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective office.
However, reacting in a statement posted on its X handle and titled, “You Are Playing With Fire: ADC Warns Government Agents Seeking Party De-registration,” the opposition party described the judgment as alarming, unconstitutional and contrary to established legal principles, insisting that it flies in the face of positions previously advanced by INEC itself.
“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,” the party declared.
According to the ADC, INEC had already informed the court that the party remained fully compliant with registration requirements and had not violated any constitutional threshold that would warrant 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 further noted that the electoral commission had insisted that deregistration “cannot be driven by political pressure, sentiment, or the wishes of interested parties,” but must be strictly anchored on constitutional provisions.
The ADC also faulted the proceedings leading to the judgment, alleging that the trial court proceeded with the matter despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings. The party described the development as a violation of judicial hierarchy and established legal procedure.
“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 statement said.
The party further argued that the timing of the judgment raised concerns, noting that it came shortly after the ADC concluded its primaries and commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections, including the presidential contest.
Warning of the broader implications of the ruling, the ADC said any attempt to eliminate a major opposition platform through judicial manoeuvring would amount to “a direct invitation to anarchy.”
“This is why we consider this ruling reckless, provocative, and even incendiary,” the party stated, adding that efforts to “manipulate institutions of state to narrow the democratic space” amounted to playing with forces beyond partisan control.
According to the ADC, the issue has now transcended party registration and has become a fundamental question about whether Nigerians will have genuine political choices 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 statement added.
The party maintained that Nigeria remains a nation governed by law rather than political influence and vowed to challenge the judgment through every lawful and constitutional avenue available. It also pledged to mobilise democratic stakeholders while defending its candidates and supporters across the country.
The ADC further alleged that the ruling was part of a broader effort to secure political advantage ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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 said.
It warned that any attempt to “manufacture a civilian dictatorship” could have serious consequences for national stability, insisting that responsibility for any resulting political tension would rest with those behind such actions.
The party also announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing the presiding judge of misconduct and alleging that the handling of the matter had brought the judiciary into disrepute.
Despite the judgment, the ADC called on its members, supporters and coalition partners nationwide to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant.
“Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold,” the party declared.