Kwara ADC Rejects Court-Ordered Deregistration, Calls It Politically Motivated

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has rejected a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the party's deregistration, calling it a politically motivated attack on Nigeria's democracy.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered the judgment on Monday. He directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC and four other parties: Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party.

The court said the parties failed to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements, including provisions under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.

In a statement released in Ilorin, the ADC Kwara State Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Basambo, rejected the ruling entirely. The party described the decision as dangerous to Nigeria's democratic stability.

"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 ADC argued that the move distorts constitutional provisions guaranteeing political participation and association. It said deregistering parties based on past electoral performance rewrites the Constitution through judicial fiat.

"To deregister political parties ahead of 2027 on the basis of past electoral performance is to rewrite the Constitution by judicial fiat," the statement read.

The party maintained that no court has the power to dissolve political parties on grounds not clearly provided for in law. It pointed to the constitutional guarantee of freedom of association and the right to form and belong to political parties.

"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 didn't meet an artificial '25 per cent threshold' that isn't a condition for party existence under our laws," the party stated.

The ADC alleged the ruling was intended to weaken opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. It accused forces within the ruling establishment of trying to frustrate, intimidate, and destabilize parties that pose as credible alternatives.

"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.

The party warned that enforcing the judgment would undermine public confidence in the electoral process. It said it wouldn't only kill democracy but also dent the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process.

The ADC urged its members across Kwara State and Nigeria to remain calm, insisting the ruling wouldn't stand. It said the party was built on the people's mandate, not on the mercy of any judge or government.

"ADC was built on the mandate of the people, not on the mercy of any judge or government. The will of Nigerians can't be deregistered by any court," it said.

"To all ADC members in Kwara and across Nigeria, please remain calm. Don't entertain fear or panic. This judgment won't stand. The truth will take its course."

The party called on INEC to resist implementing the court order and urged the judiciary, civil society organizations, and pro-democracy advocates to defend democratic principles in Nigeria.