ADC, APP Rejects Deregistration Ruling, Warns Against Threat to Democracy

The controversy surrounding Monday’s Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of five political parties deepened as both the Action Peoples Party (APP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it through the appellate courts.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the deregistration of the ADC, APP, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), holding that the parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for continued registration.

The judgment has, however, drawn strong opposition from affected political stakeholders, who argue that the ruling contradicts established legal precedents and the position previously taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Reacting to the development, APP National Leader and member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, described the judgment as dangerous for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

Speaking in Abuja, Ugochinyere warned that shrinking the political space through judicial interpretation could undermine democratic participation and fuel political instability.

“Our nation cannot be allowed to degenerate to that level. This judgment is an invitation to anarchy. Political parties cannot simply be wiped out in a democracy because that is not what democracy represents,” he said.

The lawmaker argued that several decisions of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court had previously clarified the interpretation of constitutional provisions governing party registration and deregistration.

According to him, parties that secure elective positions at local government, state or federal levels have met the threshold for continued existence under the law.

Ugochinyere further claimed that INEC had informed the court during proceedings that some of the affected parties had indeed recorded electoral victories sufficient to satisfy constitutional requirements.

He cited examples including ADC’s reported House of Representatives victories in Kogi State, APP’s local government chairmanship success in Jigawa State and Accord Party’s representation in the Imo State House of Assembly.

The lawmaker also alleged that the judgment was delivered despite the existence of an appeal and a stay-of-proceedings order, calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to review the circumstances surrounding the case.

Meanwhile, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi similarly faulted the judgment, insisting that INEC itself had informed the court that the party did not fall within the category of political parties liable for deregistration.

“INEC had deposed an affidavit at the same Federal High Court saying, as far as INEC is concerned, ADC does not fall in the category of parties that will be deregistered based on either failure to meet constitutional requirements or electoral requirements,” Abdullahi said.

He argued that the ruling appeared politically motivated and maintained that ADC had complied with all constitutional and electoral requirements throughout its two decades of existence.

Abdullahi also alleged that the Court of Appeal had directed the lower court to stay proceedings pending further determination of the matter, a claim that has added another layer of controversy to the case.

The ADC spokesman confirmed that the party would immediately challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal and expressed confidence that the ruling would eventually be overturned.

Despite the court order, both parties insisted they remain active political organisations and pledged to continue preparations for the 2027 general elections while pursuing legal remedies.