The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the judiciary to target opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such actions could trigger a political crisis.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party condemned what it described as moves to secure its deregistration through the courts, warning those behind the effort that they were “playing with fire.”
The party was reacting to what it said was a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.
According to the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had informed the court that there were no constitutional or legal grounds for the party’s deregistration.
The opposition party said INEC, in a counter-affidavit filed in May, maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements or failed any constitutional electoral-performance threshold that could warrant its removal from the register of political parties.
The ADC also alleged that the trial judge proceeded with the matter despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings.
“The judge chose to flagrantly disregard a clear order of a superior court,” the party said, describing the development as a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.
The party further 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.
According to the ADC, the timing of the ruling was suspicious as it came after the party had concluded its primaries and was preparing to field candidates for all elective positions, including the presidency, in the 2027 elections.
“It is about whether the Nigerian people will be allowed genuine political choices in 2027,” the statement said.
The party warned that any attempt to eliminate a major opposition platform through judicial means would undermine democracy and deny millions of Nigerians the opportunity to choose among competing political alternatives.
ADC also accused the ruling APC of focusing on weakening political opponents instead of addressing challenges such as economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment.
The party said it would challenge the ruling through all available legal and constitutional channels and would petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it described as the conduct of the presiding judge.
It also urged its members, candidates and supporters to remain calm, insisting that it would remain on the ballot for the 2027 general elections.
“We reject any attempt to intimidate, suppress or politically extinguish our party through means that offend both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution,” the statement added.
The Federal High Court, the Attorney-General of the Federation and other parties mentioned in the statement had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
