… says Justice Lifu is a threat to democracy
By Precious Mark
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned against what it described as attempts to use the judiciary to undermine democracy and destabilise Nigeria’s political system, following the ongoing legal dispute over the alleged deregistration of the party and four others.
The NDC, in a statement issued on Monday, cautioned government agents and political actors that they were “playing with fire” if they continued with moves aimed at eliminating opposition parties through judicial processes.
The ADC specifically criticised a Federal High Court ruling reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the deregistration of the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The party described the judgment as a direct threat to democracy, stating that it “stands in direct conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.”
It also warned that “any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring… is a direct invitation to anarchy.”
According to the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its counter-affidavit before the court, maintained that the party had not violated any registration requirements and had not failed any constitutional electoral-performance threshold that would justify deregistration.
It added that INEC also stated that the deregistration of political parties must be based strictly on constitutional grounds and not political pressure or external influence.
The party further accused the court of proceeding with the matter despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, which allegedly directed a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.
ADC said the development represented disregard for a superior court order, warning that such actions could destabilise the country’s democratic system.
The party also alleged that the case had political undertones, claiming that some individuals linked to the ruling establishment were behind the push for deregistration.
It argued that the timing of the judgment was suspicious, coming at a period when the party had concluded its primaries and was preparing to field candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Describing the ruling as “reckless, provocative and incendiary,” the ADC warned that any attempt to remove opposition parties through judicial means could trigger political instability.
The party appealed with the judiciary to remain impartial and called on Nigerians to be vigilant against what it described as efforts to shrink the country’s democratic space.
However, there was no immediate response from INEC, the Federal Government, or the plaintiffs in the matter as of press time.
The legal dispute over the fate of the affected political parties is expected to continue at the Court of Appeal.