Judicial Rascality – Atiku’s Aide Blasts Tinubu Over ADC Deregistration

The media adviser to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has condemned the Federal High Court judgement ordering the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

Naija News earlier reported that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Reacting to the development on his verified Facebook page on Monday, Ibe accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of planning to sabotage the opposition and establish a one-party state.

He alleged that the judgment was politically motivated and aimed at undermining democratic competition.

“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with other parties by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of Tinubu’s hell-bent bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a de facto one-party state,” he said.

He further described the judgment as “the height of judicial rascality.”

Atiku’s media aide also argued that Justice Lifu ought not to have proceeded with the matter because, according to him, the Court of Appeal had already directed that further action on the case be suspended pending the determination of an appeal.

According to Ibe, a three-member panel of the appellate court Justices had earlier issued an order restraining further proceedings in the matter.

“The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay further action on the matter until the hearing and determination of the appeal before it,” he stated.

“The hearing for the appeal was scheduled for the 27th of October 2026. That order was dated 22nd of May 2026,” Ibe said.

The spokesman further accused the ruling party of attempting to manipulate the political environment ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of the government of the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost,” he stated.