The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected the Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration alongside four other political parties, describing the ruling as a threat to democratic plurality and an attempt to weaken opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Monday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party, citing alleged failure to satisfy constitutional and electoral performance requirements contained in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
The case was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
Responding to the judgment, the Kwara ADC, through a statement issued in Ilorin by its Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Basambo, dismissed the court’s decision and vowed to resist what it described as an unjust attempt to undermine democratic participation.
“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.”
The party argued that the ruling poses a serious danger to Nigeria’s democratic future, warning that political parties should not be erased on the basis of electoral performance benchmarks that are not expressly tied to their legal existence.
According to the statement, the judgment amounts to an improper interpretation of constitutional provisions and threatens the rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in the political process.
“To deregister political parties ahead of 2027 on the basis of past electoral performance is to rewrite the Constitution by judicial fiat,” it said.
The ADC maintained that the Constitution protects the right of citizens to form and belong to political parties and insisted that no judicial authority should extinguish that right through what it called artificial electoral standards.
“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.
The opposition party further alleged that the judgment was driven by political considerations aimed at diminishing the strength of parties challenging the ruling establishment.
“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.
ADC warned that enforcing the ruling could have damaging consequences for public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and electoral system.
“It will not only kill our democracy, it will dent the sanctity and integrity of our electoral process,” it warned.
Despite the court decision, the party urged its supporters not to be discouraged, expressing confidence that the judgment would ultimately be overturned.
“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.
Addressing party members nationwide, the Kwara ADC called for calm and patience while legal processes continue.
“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.”
The party also expressed optimism about its electoral prospects, insisting that it would emerge stronger from the controversy.
“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 Kwara chapter further appealed to INEC not to act hastily on the court order and called on the judiciary, civil society groups and democracy advocates to defend constitutional freedoms and preserve Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
(Ripples)
