- Atiku Camp Slams Court Ruling, Accuses Tinubu Of Plotting One-Party State
- You Are Playing With Fire, ADC Warns Government Agents Seeking Party’s Deregistration
- Vows To Petition NJC Over Justice Lifu’s Judicial Rascality
- Accord Kicks As Adeleke’s Governorship Reelection Bid Hangs In Balance
A political storm erupted on Monday after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, a development that has triggered outrage across opposition circles and intensified debate over the credibility of the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
TheMatrix Newspaper reports that in a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the affected parties from its register for allegedly failing to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements. The ruling also barred the parties from participating in future elections, including the 2027 polls.
The affected parties are ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The suit was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to satisfy constitutional thresholds relating to electoral performance.
Expectedly, the judgment immediately sparked widespread condemnation from opposition figures, who described the decision as a dangerous blow to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and a move capable of narrowing political competition ahead of the next presidential election.
Reacring, the media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar launched a scathing attack on the Federal Government and the judiciary, describing the judgment as a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, alleged that the ruling was part of a broader effort by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to weaken the opposition and pave the way for a de facto one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ibe described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as “the height of judicial rascality,” arguing that it was issued despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal directing the trial court to halt further proceedings on the matter.
According to him, a panel of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, ordered Justice Lifu to stay action on the case pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
The appellate court, he noted, fixed October 27, 2026, for the hearing of the appeal, with the stay order dated May 22, 2026.
The Atiku camp questioned the basis for proceeding with the matter despite the appellate court’s directive, warning that such actions could erode public confidence in the judiciary and democratic institutions.
Ibe further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of desperation to retain power at all costs, alleging that efforts were underway to cripple opposition parties before the next general election.
“Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of the government and the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost,” he stated.
The statement is the latest in a series of criticisms from opposition figures who have accused the Tinubu administration of undermining democratic norms, allegations the government has repeatedly denied.
Similarly, the ADC warned that any attempt to eliminate opposition parties through the courts could plunge Nigeria into a political crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly-worded statement on Monday, the party described the ruling reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as “reckless, provocative and incendiary,” alleging that powerful forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were using the judiciary to suffocate opposition voices and clear the path for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the judgment flew in the face of constitutional provisions and existing judicial orders, insisting that the party had not violated any of the conditions required for continued registration.
“The ADC wishes to warn, in the strongest possible terms, against any attempt to use the judiciary as an instrument to undermine democracy and plunge Nigeria into a major political crisis,” Abdullahi declared.
The opposition party expressed shock that despite the position reportedly taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in court affirming that the ADC had not breached any constitutional or electoral requirements, the court still proceeded with the deregistration order.
According to the party, INEC had categorically informed the court that there was no legal basis for deregistering the ADC and that political parties could only be removed from the register on constitutionally recognised grounds.
The ADC also accused Justice Lifu of disregarding a subsisting Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, which allegedly directed a stay of proceedings in the matter.
“The judge chose to flagrantly and contemptuously disregard a clear order of a superior court,” the party alleged, describing the development as a dangerous assault on established judicial traditions.
In one of its most explosive claims, the ADC alleged that individuals linked to the office of the President’s Chief of Staff had actively championed the suit seeking the party’s deregistration.
The party further questioned the role of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who it said joined the case despite being listed as a defendant.
“We are left in no doubt that this latest development is a continuation of the ruling party’s persistent efforts to undermine the opposition, especially the ADC,” Abdullahi said.
The party argued that the timing of the judgment was suspicious, coming after it had completed its primaries and prepared candidates for all elective positions, including the presidency.
“It is clear what this is all about,” the statement said.
Raising the stakes, the ADC warned that any attempt to remove the country’s major opposition platform from the political arena through judicial means could trigger serious consequences.
“Any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring is a direct invitation to anarchy,” the party warned.
It accused the APC-led government of focusing on suppressing political opposition instead of addressing worsening insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and growing public frustration.
According to the ADC, the controversy goes beyond the issue of party registration and strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic future.
“It is about whether the Nigerian people will be allowed genuine political choices in 2027. It is about whether democracy will remain a contest decided by voters at the ballot box or by powerful interests operating through institutions that ought to remain impartial,” the statement said.
The party vowed to challenge the judgment through all available legal channels and announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it described as “judicial rascality” by the presiding judge.
The ADC also promised to mobilise democratic stakeholders nationwide to resist what it called efforts to “manufacture a civilian dictatorship” and hand President Tinubu a second term without electoral competition.
“Make no mistake, this is another act of desperation by the ruling party and the government to hand President Tinubu a second term without contest. This will not work,” Abdullahi declared.
Despite the legal setback, the opposition party maintained that it would remain in the race for the 2027 elections.
“We call on our members, supporters and coalition partners to remain calm, vigilant and steadfast. Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold,” the statement added.
Also, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has condemned the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the deregistration of Accord and four other political parties, describing the ruling as a violation of a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal and an abuse of court process.
Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of Accord ahead of the August 15 governorship election, said he was surprised that the lower court proceeded to deliver judgment despite an existing appellate court directive staying proceedings in the matter.
In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor argued that the Court of Appeal had already intervened and ordered a halt to proceedings at the Federal High Court before the judgment was delivered.
According to Adeleke, the appellate court had made it clear that the delivery of judgment formed part of court proceedings and should not have gone ahead while the appeal was pending.
“It is on record before Honourable Justice Peter Lifu J that in the record of proceedings of the Court of Appeal of 22nd May, 2026 and which was put before his Lordship as Exhibit MAC 2, the Court of Appeal specifically pronounced that ‘the delivery of the judgment is still part of the proceedings of the court’,” the statement said.
The governor assured residents of Osun State that efforts to prevent them from exercising their democratic rights would not succeed, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal would resolve the matter when it sits on Tuesday.
“Efforts to stop Osun people from exercising their voting rights will fail by the special grace of Almighty God. The Rule of Law and Humanity shall prevail at the end of the day,” Adeleke said.
He urged supporters and residents to remain calm, insisting that Accord would participate in the August 15 election.
“I call on Osun people to remain calm and be assured that our rights will be affirmed and our party, the Accord, will be on the ballot on August 15.
“We will not only be on the ballot, we will overwhelmingly win the forthcoming governorship election. We should remain calm and forge ahead with mobilisation of our people,” he added.
Adeleke also reaffirmed that the official flag-off of his re-election campaign would proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, stressing that the legal challenge would not distract him from the race.
“Our lawyers are taking all the necessary steps to right the wrong,” the governor stated.
The controversy is expected to deepen political tensions in the months ahead as opposition parties and civil society groups closely monitor the unfolding legal battle, which could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democratic landscape and the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
