The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says a Federal High Court ruling ordering its deregistration is an attempt to use the judiciary to destroy Nigeria's democracy. The party isn't going quietly.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party. The ruling came from a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that INEC must remove parties that failed to meet electoral performance benchmarks under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

The law says a party can be deregistered if it fails to win at least 25 per cent of votes in any state during a presidential election or secure at least one elective position. The plaintiffs claimed the five parties didn't meet those marks.

But the ADC says the ruling is unconstitutional and contradicts what INEC itself told the court. In a statement posted on X, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said INEC had argued in court that the ADC was fully compliant with all legal requirements for political parties. The commission insisted that deregistration can only happen on grounds recognised by law, not based on political pressure or public sentiment.

“We are deeply alarmed by the judgment reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a case filed by the so-called National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the de-registration of the ADC and four other political parties. This judgment stands in direct conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.”

The ADC also raised a procedural issue: the Court of Appeal had issued an order on May 22, 2026, directing that proceedings be stayed. The party alleges the Federal High Court went ahead anyway, ignoring the higher court's directive. That, the ADC says, is a violation of judicial hierarchy.

The timing is also suspicious. The judgment came just after the ADC completed its primaries and started preparing for the 2027 general elections, including the presidential race. The party sees a pattern.

“We are therefore 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.”

The ADC warned that removing a major opposition platform through court orders is a direct invitation to anarchy. It described the ruling as reckless, provocative, and incendiary. The party said the case now goes beyond party registration — it is about whether Nigerians will have real political choices in 2027.

The party says it will challenge the judgment through all legal means and will engage democratic stakeholders across the country. It vowed to protect the interests of its candidates, members, and supporters.

The other four affected parties — Accord, APP, AA, and ZLP — haven't yet issued public responses. INEC also hasn't commented on how it plans to implement the order, if at all, given the pending appeal.

Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution gives INEC the power to deregister a political party if it breaches any condition for registration, fails to win any elective position, or fails to meet the performance threshold — 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or at least one elective office. But the law also says INEC must follow due process and give the party a fair hearing. The ADC argues that INEC itself confirmed the party met those conditions.

  • Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered the ruling on June 15, 2026.
  • Five parties affected: ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Zenith Labour Party.
  • Suit filed by National Forum of Former Legislators.
  • Legal basis: Section 225A, 1999 Constitution; Electoral Act 2022.
  • Court of Appeal issued a stay order on May 22, 2026.
  • ADC says INEC argued in court that the party was compliant.
  • ADC primaries concluded shortly before the judgment.
  • 2027 general elections are the next major political contest.