The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister it alongside four other political parties, describing the ruling as a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democratic space.
The court had ordered INEC to remove the ADC, Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), citing alleged failure to meet constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
But in a swift reaction, the ADC warned that the judgment could destabilise the country’s political system, insisting that it was based on contested interpretations of electoral law and disregarded due process.
The party said it remained fully compliant with registration requirements, adding that INEC itself had previously confirmed that no legal basis existed for its deregistration.
According to the ADC, the electoral umpire maintained that deregistration must be strictly guided by law, not political pressure or subjective interpretation of electoral performance.
The opposition party also raised concerns over procedure, alleging that the trial court proceeded with the case despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order of May 22, 2026, which directed a stay of proceedings.
Describing the ruling as “reckless and provocative,” the party warned that attempts to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space through judicial action could trigger wider political consequences.
It further argued that the timing of the judgment—coming shortly after its primaries and preparations for the 2027 elections—raised suspicion of political interference.
The ADC maintained that Nigeria’s democracy must not be reduced to a system where opposition parties are weakened or eliminated through legal technicalities, warning that such moves risk eroding public trust in the electoral process.
Reaffirming its stance, the party vowed to challenge the judgment through all lawful channels, including petitions to the National Judicial Council (NJC), while urging its members nationwide to remain calm but vigilant.
“We will not be removed from the ballot by judicial manipulation or political pressure,” the party said, insisting it would contest the 2027 elections as planned.