Court-Ordered Deregistration of ADC Threatens Atiku's 2027 Presidential Bid

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's aspirations for the presidency in 2027 face a significant setback following a Federal High Court order in Abuja to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Abubakar had recently adopted the ADC to contest the upcoming election. Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the ADC and four other parties, the Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), from the register for failing to meet constitutional requirements. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, arguing that these parties did not achieve the necessary electoral performance thresholds to maintain their registration under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution. Political analysts suggest the judgment may not have an immediate practical effect due to Nigeria's legal system allowing for appeals. Abubakar emerged as the ADC's presidential candidate in May. The court's decision arrived on the same day the party named Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar's former rival, as his running mate for the 2027 election. This ruling complicates Abubakar's strategy of aligning with the ADC to form a united opposition coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He has previously contested the presidency six times. The court's decision introduces considerable uncertainty into these consolidation efforts ahead of the next election cycle. The ADC has strongly refuted the judgment, labeling it an attempt to sideline opposition parties. Party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi stated the ADC will pursue all legal avenues to overturn the decision, emphasizing their rejection of any efforts to "intimidate, suppress, deregister, or politically extinguish" opposition parties through unconstitutional means.

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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.