Kwara ADC rejects deregistration, says judgment politically motivated

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vehemently rejected a Federal High Court judgment that mandates the deregistration of the party and four others. The party's leadership in Kwara views the decision as a direct assault on Nigeria's multi-party democracy and a dangerous move that threatens democratic stability.

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC 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.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party. The court cited their alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements as stipulated by Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022. The lawsuit was initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators.

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

In a statement, the ADC Kwara State chapter argued that deregistering parties based on past electoral performance amounts to rewriting the Constitution through judicial fiat. The party insists that no court possesses the authority to dissolve political parties on grounds not explicitly provided by law, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right to form 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.

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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 ADC further alleged that the ruling is politically motivated, designed to frustrate and destabilize credible opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party warned that enforcing such a judgment would undermine public confidence in the electoral process and damage the integrity of Nigeria's democracy. Despite the ruling, the ADC urged its members to remain calm, asserting that the party's foundation is built on the people's mandate, not judicial discretion.

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