ADC Reacts As Court Directs INEC To Deregister Party

ADC Reacts As Court Directs INEC To Deregister Party
Party insisted only INEC can register or deregister political parties.
ADC vowed to challenge the judgment and remain on the 2027 ballot.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against supporting any attempt to deregister the party through the courts, describing such a move as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.

The opposition party said efforts to remove it from the political space could trigger a major political crisis and deny Nigerians a credible opposition platform in the next election.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the ADC made its position known in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja in a suit seeking the deregistration of the party and four others.

“We wish 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,” Abdullahi stated.

The party argued that the issue had gone beyond its registration status and now touched on the broader question of political pluralism and democratic choice.

According to the ADC, any attempt to eliminate a major opposition party from the electoral process would amount to an attack on democracy.

Rejecting the judgment, the party maintained that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) possesses the constitutional authority to register or deregister political parties.

The ADC noted that INEC had already informed the court that there was no legal basis for its deregistration.

“The facts are straightforward. 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 in May, INEC categorically maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements,” the statement read.

The party also accused Justice Peter Lifu of proceeding with the matter despite what it described as a subsisting Court of Appeal order directing a stay of proceedings.

It disclosed plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the judge’s conduct.

The ADC further alleged that individuals linked to the Presidency were behind the suit and questioned the involvement of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in the matter.

“Our position is anchored in the role that agents of the ruling party have played in this matter. It would be recalled that the case has been championed directly by individuals working with the President’s Chief of Staff,” the party said.

The opposition party questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came after the ADC had concluded its primaries and was preparing to field candidates in all elective positions in the 2027 elections.

“Therefore, coming at a time when the party has concluded its primaries and is fielding candidates for all positions in the next election, especially the presidential election, it is clear what this is all about,” the statement added.

The ADC warned that removing a major opposition platform through judicial means could undermine the country’s democratic process and create instability.

“Any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring, thereby sabotaging the political aspirations of hundreds of its candidates, is a direct invitation to anarchy,” the party warned.

The party vowed to challenge the judgment through all available legal and constitutional channels and pledged to defend the rights of its members, supporters and candidates.

It also urged party faithful to remain calm and await further directives from the leadership.