The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed a Federal High Court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and four others, describing the judgment as an attempt to use the judiciary to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party for allegedly failing to satisfy constitutional and electoral requirements outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which sought a declaration that INEC was obligated to remove political parties that failed to meet prescribed electoral performance benchmarks. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes in any state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective position.
Responding in a statement posted on X and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party condemned the ruling as unconstitutional and deeply troubling.
According to the ADC, the decision runs contrary to established legal precedents and even conflicts with positions previously advanced by INEC on the issue of political party deregistration.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) 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.
“We are deeply alarmed by the judgment reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a case filed by the so-called National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the de-registration of the ADC and four other political parties. This judgment stands in direct conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.”
The ADC maintained that INEC had expressly defended the party’s status before the court, arguing that it remained fully compliant with all constitutional and statutory requirements for political parties.
According to the party, the electoral commission clearly informed the court that the ADC had neither breached any registration condition nor failed to meet any constitutionally prescribed electoral-performance benchmark that could justify its deregistration.
The party quoted INEC as insisting that political parties could only be deregistered on grounds recognised by law, stressing that such decisions must not be influenced by political interests, public sentiment or pressure from vested groups.
Beyond challenging the substance of the judgment, the ADC also questioned the procedure that led to the ruling. It alleged that the Federal High Court proceeded with the matter despite an existing order of the Court of Appeal issued on May 22, 2026, directing that proceedings be stayed.
The party described the development as a violation of established judicial procedure and a disregard for the hierarchy of courts.
