The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has condemned a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the party and four other political parties, describing the decision as a direct assault on Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party over alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements, including provisions under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
The suit was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
Reacting to the judgment in a statement issued in Ilorin by its State Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Basambo, the ADC Kwara State chapter rejected the ruling in its entirety, insisting it amounted to an attack on democratic freedoms.
The statement read: “The African Democratic Congress, ADC Kwara State Chapter, condemns in totality the recent judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the deregistration of ADC and other political parties.”
It described the decision as dangerous to Nigeria’s democratic stability and warned against any attempt to weaken opposition parties through judicial interpretation of electoral performance thresholds.
The party argued that the move amounted to a distortion of constitutional provisions guaranteeing political participation and association.
“To deregister political parties ahead of 2027 on the basis of past electoral performance is to rewrite the Constitution by judicial fiat,” it said.
It further maintained that no court has the power to dissolve political parties on grounds not clearly provided for in law.
“The Constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right to form and belong to political parties. No court can legally erase political parties because they did not meet an artificial ‘25 per cent threshold’ that is not a condition for party existence under our laws,” the party stated.
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The ADC alleged that the ruling was politically motivated, aimed at weakening opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is clearly an attempt by forces within the ruling establishment to frustrate, intimidate and destabilise parties that pose as credible alternatives in 2027,” it said.
Warning of wider consequences, the party said the judgment, if enforced, would undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“It will not only kill our democracy, it will dent the sanctity and integrity of our electoral process,” it warned.
The party, however, urged its members across Kwara State and Nigeria to remain calm, insisting that the ruling would not stand.
“ADC was built on the mandate of the people, not on the mercy of any judge or government. The will of Nigerians cannot be deregistered by any court,” it said.
“To all ADC members in Kwara and across Nigeria, please remain calm. Do not entertain fear or panic. This judgment will not stand. The truth will take its course.”
“With the support of Almighty Allah and the resilience of our people, ADC will come out stronger and record resounding victory in the coming election,” it added.
The party called on INEC to resist implementing the court order and urged the judiciary, civil society organisations and pro-democracy advocates to defend democratic principles in Nigeria.
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