ADC says attempts to deregister the party threaten democracy and risk triggering political instability before elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused unnamed government agents of seeking to use the judiciary to undermine democracy, warning that any attempt to deregister the party could trigger a major political crisis.
In a statement posted on X on Monday, the opposition party condemned a reported judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.
The party said it was “deeply alarmed” by the judgment, describing it as one that “stands in direct conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.”
According to the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in a counter-affidavit filed before the court in May, maintained that the party had not breached any constitutional or legal requirements that would justify its deregistration.
The party stated that INEC “categorically maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements, had not failed any constitutional electoral-performance threshold, and that no legally recognised basis existed for its de-registration.”
It added that INEC had also made it clear that “the de-registration of a political party cannot be driven by political pressure, sentiment, or the wishes of interested parties.”
The ADC further questioned the conduct of Justice Lifu, alleging that he proceeded with the matter despite a subsisting order from the Court of Appeal issued on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings.
“The judge, however, chose to flagrantly and contemptuously disregard a clear order of a superior court in a manner that brings into question all known judicial traditions,” the party said.
The ADC described the development as “not merely a legal dispute, but a dangerous escalation capable of destabilising the nation’s democratic process.”
The party also alleged that individuals linked to the President’s Chief of Staff had championed the case and criticised the decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to join the matter as a plaintiff.
“The decision of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who is a second defendant in the matter, to join the matter as a plaintiff in April, is an absurdity, which sends a signal that is impossible to ignore,” it said.
The ADC argued that the timing of the ruling was suspicious, coming after it had concluded its primaries and fielded candidates for elective offices ahead of the next general election, including the presidential race.
The party warned that efforts to remove it from the political landscape through court action could have serious consequences.
“Any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring, thereby sabotaging the political aspirations of hundreds of its candidates, is a direct invitation to anarchy,” the statement said.
The ADC also issued a broader warning to those it accused of attempting to shrink the democratic space.
“Those who believe they can manipulate institutions of state to narrow the democratic space must understand that they are playing with forces far greater than partisan interests,” it said.
The party maintained that political actors should focus on addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges rather than targeting opposition parties, saying it was “deeply disturbing that powerful forces appear more interested in eliminating political opposition than confronting the real crises.”