“You are playing with fire,” ADC warns agents seeking party’s deregistration – THIS UPDATE

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned in the strongest possible terms against any attempt to use the judiciary as a tool to undermine democracy and plunge Nigeria into a major political crisis.

The party said it was deeply alarmed by the ruling reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a case filed by the so-called National Forum of Former Lawmakers seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

According to the party’s national publicity secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, this ruling is in direct conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.

He said, “the facts are simple. The plaintiffs had alleged that the ADC and four other political parties had failed to comply with the constitutional requirements relating to continued registration. However, in its counter-affidavit filed before the court in May, INEC, the constitutional body empowered to register, regulate and supervise political parties in Nigeria, categorically maintained that the ADC had not breached any registration requirement, had not exceeded any constitutional threshold of electoral performance and that there was no legally recognized basis for its cancellation”.

He further said that INEC has made it clear that the deregistration of a political party cannot be driven by political pressure, sentiment or wishes of stakeholders. It must be based strictly on constitutionally established grounds, none of which have been proven against the ADC.

“Aside from INEC’s firm stance in support of the party, the ADC finds it worrying that the trial judge was aware of a Court of Appeal order issued on 22 May 2026, ordering a stay of proceedings on the matter. The judge, however, chose to blatantly and contemptuously ignore a clear order of a higher court in a manner that calls into question all known judicial traditions,” Abdullahi said, adding that

“The ADC considers this development not just a legal dispute, but a dangerous escalation capable of destabilizing the nation’s democratic process. Our position is anchored on the role that agents of the ruling party have played in this matter. It must be remembered that the case was supported directly by individuals working with the President’s Chief of Staff. The decision of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who is a second defendant in the matter, to join as a civil party in April, is an absurdity, which sends a signal impossible to ignore.

“We therefore have no doubt that this latest development is a continuation of the ruling party’s persistent efforts to weaken the opposition, especially the ADC. We also find the timing of this ruling quite curious. Despite all the obstacles placed in its path, the ADC was up to the task and met all parameters and deadlines. Therefore, coming at a time when the party has concluded its primaries and is fielding candidates for all positions in the upcoming elections, especially the presidential ones, it is clear what it is about deal.

“However, the ADC wishes to warn that any attempt to eliminate the country’s main opposition party through judicial maneuvers, thereby sabotaging the political aspirations of hundreds of its candidates, is a direct invitation to anarchy.

“This is why we consider this ruling reckless, provocative and even incendiary. Those who believe they can manipulate state institutions to narrow democratic space must understand that they are playing with forces much larger than partisan interests.”

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