ADC Reacts As Court Directs INEC To Deregister Party

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday warned the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against backing alleged efforts to deregister the party through the courts.

Naija News reports that the party said such a move amounted to “playing with fire” and could trigger a political crisis ahead of the 2027 general election.

The ADC said the matter had gone beyond its registration status and now raised wider concerns about whether Nigerians would have a genuine opposition choice on the ballot in 2027.

The party’s position was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja in a suit seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

“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 said.

The party argued that any attempt to remove it from the electoral contest would amount to an attack on democracy and political pluralism.

Rejecting the judgment, the ADC said only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had the constitutional authority to register or deregister political parties.

It said INEC had already informed the court that there was no legal basis for deregistering the party.

“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 party stated.

The opposition party accused Justice Peter Lifu of proceeding with the case despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order directing a stay of proceedings.

It said it would petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it described as the judge’s conduct. The ADC also alleged that persons linked to the Presidency championed the case.

It 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 statement added.

The party questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came after the ADC had concluded its primaries and was preparing to field candidates for 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 ADC said.

Warning of wider consequences, the ADC said removing a major opposition platform through the courts could destabilise the country’s democratic process.

“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 ADC said it would challenge the judgment through all available legal and constitutional means. It also pledged to defend the rights of its candidates, members and supporters and ensure its participation in the 2027 elections.

The party urged its members and supporters to remain calm and await further directives.

“Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to be held,” the party declared.