ADC to petition NJC over judge who ruled on party’s deregistration
The African Democratic Congress warned Monday that a federal court ruling seeking its deregistration threatens Nigeria’s democracy and could plunge the nation into “major political crisis.”
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as “a threat to democracy” after a judgment in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators seeking to deregister the ADC and four other parties.
“You are playing with fire,” the party said, addressing what it called government agents pushing for deregistration.
The ADC said the Independent National Electoral Commission filed a counter-affidavit in May stating the party had not violated registration requirements or failed any constitutional electoral-performance threshold. INEC maintained there was no legal basis for deregistration, the statement said.
The party also alleged that Lifu disregarded a May 22, 2026, Court of Appeal order directing a stay of proceedings on the matter. The ADC called the ruling “reckless, provocative, and even incendiary.”
The statement accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of orchestrating the case, citing the involvement of individuals working with the president’s chief of staff. It also called the attorney-general’s decision to join the case as a plaintiff in April “an absurdity.”
“Any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring… is a direct invitation to anarchy,” the ADC said.
The party said the ruling came after it had concluded primaries and was fielding candidates for the 2027 elections, including the presidential election.
The ADC said it will challenge the judgment “through every lawful and constitutional avenue” and petition the National Judicial Council over Lifu’s conduct.
“This is another act of desperation by the ruling party and the government to hand President Tinubu a second term without contest,” the statement said. “This will not work.”
The party called on members and supporters to remain calm and said it “will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold.”
