Political Earthquake: Court Orders Deregistration of ADC and Other Parties Amidst Outcry

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration. The affected parties include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party (A), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). This judgment, delivered on Monday, stems from a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which challenged INEC's continued recognition of these parties.

The plaintiffs, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, argued that these parties failed to satisfy performance thresholds outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and relevant INEC regulations. Specifically, the parties were accused of not securing at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective seat at federal, state, or local government levels. The former legislators contended that the parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, thereby weakening the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

Justice Lifu’s ruling directed INEC to remove the parties from its register, barring them from participating in future elections, including the 2027 general polls, and from engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primary elections. Furthermore, INEC was restrained from recognizing or conducting official business with these parties pending compliance with the judgment. The court also dismissed multiple preliminary objections filed by the defendants.

The judgment has drawn strong condemnation from the affected parties and prominent political figures. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, vehemently warned against its deregistration, asserting it would have "dire consequences for Nigeria." The ADC accused the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, of "judicial rascality" and vowed to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over his conduct. The party argued that the judgment is "curious," "unconstitutional," and "flagrantly contradicted INEC’s position on affidavit," further stating that INEC had, in its counter-affidavit, maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements or failed any constitutional electoral-performance threshold.

The ADC also highlighted that Justice Lifu "flagrantly and contemptuously disregarded a clear order of a superior court," specifically a subsisting order from the Court of Appeal issued on May 22, 2026, which directed a stay of proceedings on the matter. The party described the development as "not merely a legal dispute, but a dangerous escalation capable of destabilising the nation’s democratic process," linking it to alleged efforts by "agents of the ruling party," including individuals working with the President’s Chief of Staff and the Attorney-General of the Federation joining as a plaintiff, to undermine the opposition.

Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, condemned the judgment as a "dangerous assault on constitutional democracy" and "further evidence of a coordinated effort to eliminate political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections." He echoed concerns about the disregard for the Court of Appeal's stay of proceedings order, calling it a "blatant assault on Nigeria’s democracy" and a challenge to the "rule of law." Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of focusing on "eliminating major political opponents" rather than addressing national crises like insecurity and economic hardship. He urged ADC members and supporters of democratic governance not to be intimidated and pledged to pursue all lawful avenues to defend the party and the multi-party system.

Similarly, Adewole Adebayo, a former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), characterized the court order as a "dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democratic system" and a contradiction of the ideals celebrated during June 12 Democracy Day. He argued that the judgment lacked constitutional, legal, and moral justification, warning that shrinking the political space by eliminating alternative platforms threatens democratic participation and undermines political pluralism. Adebayo expressed solidarity with the affected parties, pledging legal and political support, and renewed his call for sweeping electoral reforms, including stripping INEC of the power to register political parties to ensure genuine political choices for Nigerians in upcoming elections.

The ruling could have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising questions about the independence of the judiciary and the health of the nation's multi-party democracy. The affected parties, particularly the ADC, have vowed to challenge the decision at appellate courts and through other lawful means, while urging their members to remain calm and vigilant.