By Achile Danjuma
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a Federal High Court judgment that could lead to its removal from the ballot, issuing a stark warning to government agents that they are playing with fire and courting anarchy.
In a statement released shortly after the court ruling, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the judiciary of being weaponised by the ruling party to ensure President Bola Tinubu secures a second term by any means necessary.
The judgment, reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, came in a case filed by the so-called National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The ADC argued that Justice Lifu ignored a subsisting stay of proceedings order issued by the Court of Appeal on May 22, 2026, describing the judge’s conduct as contemptuous and a violation of all known judicial traditions.
The party further noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — the only constitutional body empowered to register or deregister political parties — had filed a counter-affidavit stating that the ADC had not violated any registration requirements or failed any electoral-performance threshold.
“We are deeply alarmed by this judgment,” Abdullahi said. This stands in direct conflict with constitutional principles and all known judicial processes and procedures.
The ADC alleged that the case has been championed directly by individuals working with the President’s Chief of Staff and pointed to the Attorney-General of the Federation’s decision to join the matter as a plaintiff — a move the party called an absurdity.
“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,” the statement read.
The party noted the curious timing of the ruling, coming after the ADC had already concluded its primaries and is fielding candidates for all positions, including the presidency.
The ADC warned that eliminating a major opposition party through “judicial manoeuvring” would have severe consequences.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
“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.”
The party vowed to challenge the ruling through all lawful means while petitioning the National Judicial Council over what it called the judicial rascality demonstrated by Justice Lifu.
Despite the fiery rhetoric, the ADC urged its members, candidates, and supporters to remain calm, vigilant, and steadfast.
“Whatever it takes, the ADC will be on the ballot so long as the 2027 election is to hold,” the statement concluded.
The party warned that responsibility for any resulting tension or crisis would rest squarely with those who are pursuing this dangerous and illegitimate path.