The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration and that of four other political parties, describing the ruling as a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy and a calculated attempt to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party warned that any attempt to eliminate political opposition through judicial means could trigger a major political crisis and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
The reaction followed a judgment reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, alongside the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), over alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements.
The ADC, however, insisted that the ruling contradicted both constitutional provisions and established judicial procedures, arguing that there was no legal basis for its deregistration.
According to the party, INEC had earlier filed a counter-affidavit in the matter, maintaining that the ADC had not breached any constitutional or statutory requirements that would warrant its removal from the register of political parties.
The opposition party said the electoral commission, which is constitutionally empowered to regulate and supervise political parties, had informed the court that the ADC remained qualified to retain its registration.
“The plaintiffs had argued that the ADC and four other political parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to continued registration. However, in its counter-affidavit filed before the court, INEC categorically maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements and that no legally recognised basis existed for its deregistration,” the statement said.
The party also faulted the conduct of the proceedings, alleging that Justice Lifu delivered judgment despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal directing a stay of proceedings in the case.
According to the ADC, the appellate court had, on May 22, 2026, ruled that the delivery of judgment remained part of the proceedings before the trial court and should therefore be suspended pending further action.
The party argued that the decision of the lower court to proceed with judgment amounted to a disregard for the authority of a superior court and raised serious concerns about judicial propriety.
Beyond the legal issues, the ADC alleged that the case formed part of a broader effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties and restrict political competition ahead of the next election cycle.
The party claimed that individuals linked to the Presidency and senior government officials had played active roles in pursuing the case, a development it described as troubling for the nation’s democracy.
“We are 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,” Abdullahi stated.
The party further questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came after the ADC had concluded its primaries and was preparing to field candidates for various elective offices, including the presidency.
According to the ADC, the ruling could potentially jeopardise the political aspirations of hundreds of candidates and millions of supporters who identify with the party.
It warned that any attempt to exclude a major opposition platform from the electoral process through judicial action could have far-reaching consequences for national stability.
“This is no longer simply about party registration. It is about whether Nigerians will be allowed genuine political choices in 2027 and whether democracy will be decided by voters at the ballot box or by powerful interests acting through institutions that ought to remain impartial,” the statement added.
The party vowed to challenge the judgment through all available legal channels and disclosed plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it described as judicial misconduct by the presiding judge.
It also reaffirmed its determination to participate in the 2027 elections, insisting that it would remain on the ballot despite the court ruling.
The ADC called on its members, supporters, candidates and coalition partners across the country to remain calm and law-abiding while legal efforts to overturn the judgment continue.
The controversy surrounding the ruling has intensified political debate over the future of opposition parties in Nigeria, with observers closely watching the next legal steps by both the affected parties and electoral authorities.