The camp of former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party.
The reaction was conveyed in a statement shared on X by Atiku’s Media Aide, Paul Ibe, who faulted the ruling and described it as part of a broader effort to weaken opposition parties in the country.
According to Ibe, the judgment reflects what he called an attempt to establish a one-party system. He further disclosed that the decision is already being challenged through an appeal and that a valid stay-of-action order had been secured before the court delivered its verdict.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the ruling on Monday in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026. The judgment directed INEC to deregister the ADC as well as the Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the affected political parties failed to satisfy constitutional and electoral requirements, including winning elective positions or securing at least 25 percent of votes in a state during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections.
Following its findings, the court granted orders restraining the parties from taking part in future political activities and prohibiting INEC from recognizing them as registered political parties.
Responding to the judgment, Ibe described the decision as the “height of judicial rascality,” alleging that it formed part of efforts by the ruling party to diminish opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general election.
He also maintained that the ruling contradicted an existing directive from the Court of Appeal, noting that the appellate court had previously ordered a halt to further proceedings on the matter pending the determination of an appeal.
His words:
“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) @ADCNig along with other parties by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of Tinubu’s hell-bent bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a defacto one-party state. The judgment is the height of judicial rascality.
“The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko, Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had in Appeal CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay further action on the matter until the hearing and determination of the Appeal before it. The hearing for the appeal was scheduled for the 27th of October 2026.
“That order was dated 22nd of May 2026.
“Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of government of the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost.”
