By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Monday warned the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, that they were ‘playing with fire’ by backing what it described as efforts to deregister the party through the courts, saying such a move could trigger a political crisis ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party said the issue had gone beyond its registration status and now raised broader questions about whether Nigerians would have a genuine opposition choice on the ballot in 2027. It argued that any attempt to remove the ADC from the electoral contest would amount to an attack on democracy and political pluralism.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja in a suit seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.
“We wish 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 said.
Rejecting the judgment, the ADC maintained that only the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has the constitutional authority to register or deregister political parties. It noted that INEC had informed the court that there was no legal basis for its deregistration.
“The facts are straightforward. The plaintiffs had argued that the ADC and four other political parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to continued registration. However, in its counter-affidavit filed before the court in May, INEC categorically maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements,” the party stated.
The party also accused Justice Peter Lifu of proceeding with the matter despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order directing a stay of proceedings and announced plans to petition the National Judicial Council, NJC, over what it described as the judge’s conduct.
Beyond the legal dispute, the ADC alleged that individuals linked to the Presidency had championed the case and questioned the involvement of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in the matter.
“Our position is anchored on the role that agents of the ruling party have played in this matter. It would be recalled that the case has been championed directly by individuals working with the President’s Chief of Staff,” the statement added.
The opposition party also questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came after it had concluded its primaries and was preparing to field candidates for all elective positions in the 2027 elections, including the presidential contest.
“Therefore, coming at a time when the party has concluded its primaries and is fielding candidates for all positions in the next election, especially the presidential election, it is clear what this is all about,” the ADC said.
Warning of wider consequences, the ADC said removing a major opposition platform through the courts could destabilise the country’s democratic process.
“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 party warned.
The ADC said it would challenge the judgment through all available legal and constitutional channels, defend the rights of its candidates, members and supporters, and ensure its participation in the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, it urged its members and supporters to remain calm and await further directives.
“Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold,” the party declared.
