African Democratic Congress Logo. Photo: ADC
The African Democratic Congress has rejected a Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the party and four others, warning that the ruling represents a dangerous attempt to weaponise the judiciary against Nigeria’s democratic system.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Monday ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party over reported failure to meet constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act 2022.
The suit, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally bound to deregister parties that failed to meet electoral benchmarks, including winning at least 25 per cent of votes in any state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective office.
Reacting in a statement shared on X, titled ” You Are Playing With Fire, ADC Warns Government Agents Seeking Party De-registration” ADC described the judgment as alarming and unconstitutional, insisting it directly contradicts established legal standards and prior submissions by the electoral body.
