Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned a Federal High Court ruling that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and four others, describing the judgment as part of a wider plan to weaken democracy in Nigeria.
Reacting in a statement issued on X by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku alleged that the judgment is a reflection of what he called “judicial rascality” and a deliberate effort to tilt the political system towards a one-party structure.
He argued that the court ruling is part of a wider political agenda to muzzle opposition parties before the 2027 general elections.
There are already legal restraints on the matter including a pending appeal and a subsisting order of stay of action from the Court of Appeal which should have stopped further proceedings at the lower court.
Atiku argued that the judgment was delivered in disregard of appellate court directives, describing it as a serious threat to democratic norms and institutional order.
The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, among other parties, by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of a bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a de facto one-party state. “The judgment is the epitome of judicial rascality,” the statement reads.
He also cited a Court of Appeal order in Appeal CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 which, according to him, directed the trial court to stay further action pending the determination of the appeal.
Atiku said the appellate court had fixed October 27, 2026, for hearing, saying the lower court knew of the directive but went ahead.
He accused the ruling establishment of trying to manipulate the judiciary in a bid to silence opposition voices and consolidate political dominance ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“The court order of 22 May 2026 was very clear. “Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation to either win the 2027 elections at all cost or destroy our democracy,” he added.
The former vice president stated that the ADC and other affected parties are still committed to exploring all available legal options to challenge the judgment and safeguard Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
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