ADC Rejects Court Ruling to Deregister Political Parties

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC along with Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The ADC described the ruling as a grave threat to Nigeria's democracy and political stability.

The judgment followed a case filed by the so-called National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to meet the constitutional electoral performance threshold required to retain registration. The ADC contended that INEC does not have the constitutional authority to deregister political parties and expressed deep alarm over the judgment.

The party plans to appeal the ruling and has announced intentions to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) regarding judicial misconduct. Senator David Mark, the ADC's national chairman, assured party members that the judgment would not stand and expressed confidence that the superior court would overturn the decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.