ADC Rejects Court Order on Deregistration

The African Democratic Congress has rejected a Federal High Court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister it and four other parties, describing the decision as a dangerous attempt to weaponise the judiciary against Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Monday in Abuja, ordering INEC to remove the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party from its register. The court held that the parties failed to meet the constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act 2022. The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties did not secure the required spread of votes, including at least 25 per cent in any state during presidential elections or win at least one elective office.

In a statement issued on X, the ADC warned that the ruling contradicted INEC’s own submissions in court. The party stated that the commission had maintained that the ADC met all registration requirements and had not breached any constitutional threshold for deregistration. INEC, according to the ADC, also insisted that any deregistration must be based strictly on constitutional provisions and not political pressure.

The ADC further alleged that the trial court proceeded despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order of 22 May 2026 directing a stay of proceedings. It described the development as a breach of judicial hierarchy and part of efforts by the ruling party to undermine opposition ahead of the 2027 polls, noting that the timing followed the conclusion of its primaries and preparations for the presidential contest.

This case builds on a pattern of efforts to enforce viability among Nigeria’s political parties. In 2020, INEC deregistered 74 parties for failing to win seats in the 2019 elections or demonstrate national spread under the same constitutional framework. The Supreme Court later affirmed INEC’s powers in related challenges. Nigeria has seen repeated attempts to prune the number of registered parties, which at peaks exceeded 90, to reduce ballot fragmentation and strengthen credible opposition.

The ADC maintained that the dispute now concerns whether Nigerians will have genuine political choices in 2027. It announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council over alleged misconduct by the presiding judge and vowed to challenge the ruling through all lawful channels while mobilising stakeholders to ensure the party remains on the ballot.

Legal observers expect further appeals to the Court of Appeal and possibly the Supreme Court, consistent with the trajectory of earlier deregistration matters. The ruling could influence opposition coalition strategies and ballot access arrangements as parties prepare for the next general elections.