A court ruling that invalidated the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party on Monday sparked an outrage from members of the opposition parties, who described the decision as controversial and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.

Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke and the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, faulted the Federal High Court Abuja judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the five political parties, warning that the development could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, also condemned the judgment, saying it was a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and an attempt to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The court order followed a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.

The National Forum of Former Legislators had in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 prayed the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove political parties that failed to meet the electoral performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.

The plaintiff had argued that the five political parties listed as defendants in the matter had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

The former legislators stressed that the requirements included winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state or local government level.

They told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and by-elections conducted by INEC, thereby failing to win seats across key tiers of government.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiff urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties.

It further urged the court to compel the commission to deregister the five political parties before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.

Atiku reacts

Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Monday said the ruling raised serious constitutional and legal concerns because it was delivered despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal staying proceedings in the matter.

According to Atiku, the ruling should concern all Nigerians committed to democratic governance, political pluralism and the Rule of Law.

“The judgment represents a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant assault on Nigeria’s democracy.

“What makes the situation even more disturbing is that this judgment was purportedly delivered despite a clear and subsisting order of the Court of Appeal. On May 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, granted an application staying further proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 pending the hearing and determination of the appeal before it.

“The implication of that order is not ambiguous. A stay of proceedings means precisely what it says. It freezes every further step in the matter, including the delivery of judgment. Any action taken contrary to that order raises serious questions about respect for the hierarchy of courts and fidelity to the rule of law.

“This latest judgment therefore does not merely contradict a subsisting appellate order; it strikes at the very foundation of legal certainty and constitutional governance. If court orders can be treated as optional whenever they become inconvenient to those in power, then the rule of law itself is in grave danger,” the statement read in part.

The former Vice President linked the judgment to what he described as a wider pattern of actions aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Tinubu administration is singularly focused on eliminating major political opponents ahead of 2027.

“Rather than confronting the mounting crises facing the nation—rampant insecurity, economic hardship, rising poverty, unemployment, and the declining purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians—the government appears consumed by a desperate quest to neutralise every viable opposition platform.

“This is not governance. It is political elimination by other means.

“The Nigerian people can see what is happening. Opposition parties are being targeted. Democratic institutions are being pressured. State power is increasingly being deployed not for national development but for political survival,” the statement added.

Atiku, however, insisted that the ADC would challenge the judgment through legal means and continue to defend Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.

“We wish to reassure all members of the ADC, our supporters, and all Nigerians who believe in democratic competition that we will not be intimidated by these desperate manoeuvres.

“The battle before us transcends political parties. It is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy. It is a battle between those who believe in freedom of choice and those who seek to impose political uniformity through intimidation and institutional capture.

“We shall continue to pursue all lawful and constitutional avenues to defend our party, protect democratic freedoms, and preserve the multiparty system which remains the cornerstone of our constitutional order.

“We call on the judiciary, civil society organisations, the media, and all patriotic Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist every attempt to subvert democratic institutions for partisan advantage,” he added.

According to him, “Nigeria’s democracy was not won cheaply. It must not be surrendered cheaply.”

Atiku further maintained that democratic rights and constitutional guarantees cannot be extinguished through political pressure or judicial actions.

He noted that no amount of political desperation can override the Constitution, eliminate legitimate opposition or silence Nigerians seeking political alternatives.

The controversy is expected to generate further legal and political scrutiny in the coming days, particularly over the implications of the judgment for Nigeria’s party system and the status of the appellate court’s earlier order staying proceedings in the case.

Adeleke urges calm

In his reaction to the court order, Governor Adeleke also said the deregistration of the five political parties violated the order of Court of Appeal Order.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said the Appeal Court had made an order for the stay of proceedings by the Federal High Court, expressing displeasure over the lower court’s decision to rule on the matter.

The statement read in part, “It is on record before Honourable Justice Peter Lifu that in the record of proceedings of the Court of Appeal of 22nd May, 2026 and which was put before his Lordship as Exhibit MAC 2, the Court of Appeal specifically pronounced that ’The delivery of the judgement is still part of the proceedings of the Court.’”

The governor called for calm, adding that the people of Osun State will not have their civil obligation to vote taken away from them.

“The Court of Appeal is taking up the matter tomorrow (today). This effort to stop Osun people from exercising their voting rights will fail by the special grace of Almighty God. The Rule of Law and Humanity shall prevail at the end of the day.

“I call on Osun people to remain calm and be assured that our rights will be affirmed and our party, the Accord will be on the ballot on August 15th.

“We will not only be on the ballot, we will win overwhelmingly the forthcoming governorship election. We should remain calm and forge ahead with mobilisation of our people.

“I also want to assure our people that the flag off of our campaign is holding as scheduled tomorrow (today). They want to distract us. We are going ahead and we are winning this election,” Adeleke said.

He further assured his supporters that his legal team are doing everything ppossible to address the issue in the accordance with the law

“Our lawyers are taking all the necessary steps to right the wrong,” the governor posited.

ADC rejects judgment

The ADC rejected the judgment, warning of serious consequences if any attempt was made to exclude the party from the ballot.

In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the court ruling reflected growing desperation by the ruling party and the government to keep President Bola Tinubu in power at all cost, even if it meant undermining democratic processes and risking a major national crisis.

The party stated, “The African Democratic Congress wishes to warn, in the strongest possible terms, against any attempt to use the judiciary as an instrument to undermine democracy and plunge Nigeria into a major political crisis.

“We are deeply alarmed by the judgment reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a case filed by the so-called National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the de-registration of the ADC and four other political parties. This judgment stands in direct conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.

“The facts are straightforward. The plaintiffs had argued that the ADC and four other political parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to continued registration. However, in its counter-affidavit filed before the court in May, INEC, the constitutional body empowered with the registration, regulation, and supervision of political parties in Nigeria, categorically maintained that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements, had not failed any constitutional electoral-performance threshold, and that no legally recognised basis existed for its deregistration.

“INEC further made it clear that deregistration of a political party cannot be driven by political pressure, sentiment, or the wishes of interested parties. It must be based strictly on constitutionally established grounds, none of which had been proven against the ADC.”

ADC added that it was disturbing that the trial judge was aware of the Court of Appeal order, which stayed proceedings but allegedly ignored it, raising concerns about respect for higher court rulings and judicial procedure.

The party also described the situation as more than a legal dispute, warning it could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability, and alleged involvement of ruling party actors, including individuals linked to the President’s Chief of Staff. It further criticised the Attorney-General’s decision to join the case as a plaintiff in April, calling it unusual and deeply troubling.

It added, “We are therefore left in no doubt that this latest development is a continuation of the ruling party’s persistent efforts to undermine the opposition, especially the ADC. We also find the timing of this ruling quite curious. Despite all the obstacles placed in its way, the ADC has risen to the task and met all benchmarks and deadlines. Therefore, coming at a time when the party has concluded its primaries and is fielding candidates for all positions in the next election, especially the presidential election, it is clear what this is all about.

“However, the ADC would like to warn that any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring, thereby sabotaging the political aspirations of hundreds of its candidates, is a direct invitation to anarchy.

“This is why we consider this ruling reckless, provocative, and even incendiary. Those who believe they can manipulate institutions of state to narrow the democratic space must understand that they are playing with forces far greater than partisan interests.

“At a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling under crushing economic hardship, escalating insecurity, widespread unemployment, and growing national anxiety inflicted by the APC, it is deeply disturbing that powerful forces appear more interested in eliminating political opposition than confronting the real crises facing the country.”

The party said the issue had gone beyond party registration, stressing that it was about whether Nigerians would have real political choices in 2027 and whether democracy would be decided by voters at the ballot box or influenced by powerful interests through institutions that should be neutral.

It stated, “Let it be clearly stated: the ADC will not stand by while the democratic rights of millions of Nigerians are threatened. We reject any and all attempts to intimidate, suppress, deregister, or politically extinguish our party and other opposition parties through means that offend both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution.

“Nigeria is a nation of law, not a nation governed by the whims and caprices of agents of the ruling party. Therefore, as a law-abiding political party, the ADC will vigorously challenge this judgment through every lawful and constitutional avenue available to us. We shall mobilise all democratic stakeholders. We shall defend the rights of all our candidates, members, supporters, and the millions of Nigerians who are looking to the ADC as a credible alternative for national renewal.

“Make no mistake, this is another act of desperation by the ruling party and the government to hand President Tinubu a second term without contest. This will not work. We, therefore, warn those who are seeking to manufacture a civilian dictatorship to understand that democracy cannot be strangled without consequences for national stability.

“The responsibility for any tension or crisis arising from efforts to weaponise the judiciary against legitimate political opposition will rest squarely with those who are pursuing this dangerous and illegitimate path.

The opposition party urged its members, candidates, supporters, and coalition partners nationwide to stay calm, alert, and resolute, insisting that the party will be on the ballot in the 2027 elections, no matter the circumstances.

‘Judgment can’t stand’

ADC National Chairman, David Mark, urged members, supporters, and candidates not to be discouraged by Justice Lifu’s judgment.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark described the ruling as “an arrow fired at the hearts of Nigeria’s democracy” and expressed confidence that higher courts would overturn it.

“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” Mark stated.

In the statement, Mark called on ADC candidates and supporters nationwide to stay calm, focused, and committed to the party’s mission, assuring them there was no reason for concern.

“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members, and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law,” he added.

Mark also restated the party’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and offering Nigerians a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress also condemned the judgment, describing it as a direct assault on Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

Reacting to the judgement in a statement issued in Ilorin by its state Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Basambo, the ADC Kwara State chapter rejected the ruling in its entirety, insisting it amounted to an attack on democratic freedoms.

The statement read, “The African Democratic Congress, Kwara State Chapter, condemns in totality the recent judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the deregistration of ADC and other political parties.”

It described the decision as dangerous to Nigeria’s democratic stability and warned against any attempt to weaken opposition parties through judicial interpretation of electoral performance thresholds.

The party argued that the move amounted to a distortion of constitutional provisions guaranteeing political participation and association.

“To deregister political parties ahead of 2027 on the basis of past electoral performance is to rewrite the Constitution by judicial fiat,” it said.

It further maintained that no court had the powers to dissolve political parties on grounds not clearly provided for in law.

“The Constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right to form and belong to political parties. No court can legally erase political parties because they did not meet an artificial ‘25 per cent threshold’ that is not a condition for party existence under our laws,” the party stated.

The Kwara ADC alleged that the ruling was politically motivated and aimed at weakening opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This is clearly an attempt by forces within the ruling establishment to frustrate, intimidate, and destabilise parties that pose as credible alternatives in 2027,” it added.

Warning of wider consequences, the party said the judgment, if enforced, would undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

“It will not only kill our democracy, it will dent the sanctity and integrity of our electoral process,” it warned.

Opposition parties kick

Reacting to the judgment, a former spokesman for Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, accused the government of creating unnecessary political tension ahead of future elections.

“You can see it’s very clear that this government wants to set this country ablaze. It’s simple. There is no justification whatsoever to warrant it at this point in time when there is going to be an election,” he said.

Tanko, who is also the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, questioned the motive behind the development and expressed reservations about the leadership of the electoral commission.

“What kind of legacy do they want to keep? And that is why we doubt the capacity of the INEC chairman. May God help us. But I’m sure the parties will appeal the judgment. Let them speak out and follow the judicial process.”

He further described the judgment as disturbing and ill-timed.

“Definitely this demands another different kind of action. This is terrible, totally unacceptable and very chaotic for Nigeria at this time,” he added.

Also reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Osa Director, urged calm, insisting that the affected parties still had legal options available to them.

“As a lawyer, I believe that the cause of justice should be solved and that the parties have a right of appeal. They should exercise those rights. I don’t think there is need to panic over it,” he said.

Asked whether the court decision amounted to a political witch-hunt as alleged by some critics, Director said the answer depended on whether the affected parties complied with constitutional requirements.

“Well, it depends on what the constitutional requirements are. I cannot speak for the parties involved.

“If they meet constitutional requirements for the registration of parties or for the continuous existence of a party, one can see it as a witch-hunt. But if they didn’t, that means that it’s a challenge for them to stand up and meet those requirements.

“That’s why I said they have a right to appeal. And I encourage them to exercise that rights,” he stated.

On his part, the National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, Rufus Aiyenigba, screamed, “Recipe for national crisis!”

Aiyenigba, however, declined to comment further on the matter.

Also, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party condemned the ruling, describing it as an effort to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and cautioning that it may erode public trust in the judiciary and the electoral system.

Publicity Secretary of the Turaki interim NWC, Ini Ememobong, stated, “It’s a huge attempt at derailing democracy. Number two, it is a judgment that should be condemned by all and sundry. Number three, the freedom while we concede that the Constitution allows for the registration and deregistration of parties there are times when the timing of an action will speak more than the action itself.