Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the recent Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the party, describing the decision as an act of judicial rascality and a calculated attempt to weaken opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the ruling through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku alleged that the judgment reflects a broader effort by the ruling party to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and pave the way for what he described as a de facto one-party state.
The former Vice President’s response came shortly after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties over their failure to meet certain constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Ibe argued that the court’s decision ignored existing legal processes and failed to take into account a pending appeal already before a higher court.
According to him, there is an active stay-of-action order issued by the Court of Appeal, which should have prevented any further proceedings on the matter until the appeal is fully heard and determined.
Atiku maintained that the ruling was not only legally questionable but also politically motivated.
“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress 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 de facto one-party state,” the statement said.
“The judgment is the height of judicial rascality.”
Providing details of the legal challenge, Ibe stated that the Court of Appeal had earlier intervened in the matter and directed that no further action should be taken pending the determination of an appeal filed before it.
According to him, a panel of appellate court justices comprising Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko, and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi issued the order in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 arising from Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025.
He explained that the appellate court’s directive, dated May 22, 2026, instructed Justice Lifu to stay further proceedings on the case until the appeal was heard and determined.
The hearing of the appeal, he added, has already been scheduled for October 27, 2026.
Atiku’s camp argued that proceeding with the deregistration order despite the subsisting appellate court directive raises serious concerns about respect for judicial hierarchy and due process.
The former presidential candidate further accused the ruling party of attempting to manipulate democratic institutions in preparation for the next general election.
According to him, the judgment sends a troubling signal about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the willingness of those in power to tolerate political competition.
“Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost,” the statement added.
The controversy surrounding the deregistration order has already sparked debate among political observers and legal practitioners, many of whom believe the matter may ultimately be decided by the appellate courts.
As the legal battle continues, attention is expected to focus on the pending appeal and whether the Court of Appeal will uphold or overturn the Federal High Court’s decision.
For the ADC and other affected parties, the outcome of the appellate proceedings could determine their political future and their ability to participate in the 2027 general elections.
