Lokoja, Kogi State – The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kogi State Chapter, has condemned a Federal High Court judgment purporting to deregister the party, describing it as “judicial rascality” and part of a plot to entrench a one-party state ahead of 2027.
In a press release signed by Hon. Dr. Tom Zakari PhD, State Chairman, the party said it “received with shock and total condemnation the frivolous judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, purporting to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.”
“This judgment is nothing but the height of judicial rascality and a desperate manifestation of the APC-led federal government’s hell-bent bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a defacto one-party state ahead of 2027,” the statement read.
The ADC Kogi Chapter argued that Justice Lifu acted in defiance of a superior court order. “We remind Nigerians and the judiciary that the Court of Appeal, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko, and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi, had earlier this year ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay all further proceedings on this matter until the hearing and determination of the appeal,” it stated.
“That order, dated 22nd May 2026, fixed hearing for 27th October 2026. Justice Lifu’s decision to proceed in disobedience of a superior court order is a dangerous assault on the rule of law.”
The party accused the ruling party of desperation: “Nigerians and the international community can now see the level of desperation of the ruling party: either have their way in 2027 or destroy the democracy our heroes purchased at a huge cost.”
*ADC Kogi’s resolutions:*
1. “Condemns in totality this unlawful judgment by Justice Peter Lifu. It is an affront to justice, democracy, and the will of the people.”
2. “Assures all ADC members, supporters, and patriotic Nigerians that this shenanigan will not stand. One-party state can never be entrenched in Nigeria. Democracy is on course.”
3. “Urges all ADC faithful in Kogi State and across the nation to remain focused, calm, and undeterred. Do not be distracted by the antics of the APC-led government. Keep your PVCs ready and your commitment stronger.”
4. “Declares with confidence that, by the grace of God and the will of the people, the African Democratic Congress will form the next government at the center in 2027. The light of democracy cannot be extinguished. The ADC remains the party of the people, and no court judgment procured through desperation will stop our march to rescue Nigeria.”
The Kogi ADC vowed to challenge the judgment and continue mobilizing for the 2027 elections.
Signed: Hon. Dr. Tom Zakari PhD, State Chairman, African Democratic Congress (ADC) Kogi State Chapter