Obidient Movement condemns court ruling on deregistration of 5 political parties

By Taiwo Scholarstica

The Obidient Movement has condemned a Federal High Court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister 5political parties, describing the decision as a threat to political inclusion and democratic participation in Nigeria.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered INEC to remove the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) from the list of registered political parties. The court held that the parties failed to meet constitutional performance requirements outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act 2022.

The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which sought a declaration on whether INEC was constitutionally required to deregister political parties that failed to meet specific electoral benchmarks, including securing at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective position.

Reacting to the judgment, the Obidient Movement expressed concern over its implications for Nigeria’s democratic system. In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the group said democracy thrives when citizens have multiple political platforms through which they can express their views and aspirations.

The movement, which aligns itself with the political ideals of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, warned that reducing the number of political parties could limit democratic choices available to Nigerians.

According to the statement, democracy must remain open, inclusive, and competitive to ensure meaningful participation by citizens. The group stressed that political inclusion remains essential for the growth and sustainability of democratic governance.

The Obidient Movement also argued that Nigeria’s democratic future should be built on fairness, credible institutions, accountability, and active citizen participation rather than restrictions on political actors.

It reaffirmed its commitment to civic engagement, voter education, and political accountability ahead of future elections. The group urged Nigerians not to withdraw from the political process despite challenges facing the country’s democracy.

The movement further encouraged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing voting as an important tool for shaping the nation’s future.

It maintained that every election provides citizens with an opportunity to influence governance and contribute to building a more inclusive and democratic Nigeria.