A recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja led to the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party, causing significant outcry from opposition members. They argue the ruling threatens Nigeria’s democratic process. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark criticized the court’s decision, warning of its potential implications for democracy in Nigeria.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also the presidential candidate for the ADC, described the judgment as a threat to the multiparty system ahead of the 2027 elections. He highlighted the ruling as unconstitutional since it was issued despite a Court of Appeal order that stayed proceedings regarding the matter. Atiku emphasized that the judgment raises serious concerns about legal frameworks and the rule of law, arguing it reflects a pattern of actions aimed at undermining opposition parties.
The case arose from a lawsuit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which contended that these parties failed to meet the electoral performance thresholds established by Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022. The plaintiffs requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregister parties that do not meet these conditions, which include winning at least 25% of votes in a state during presidential elections or securing an elective seat in government.
Atiku, in his response, urged all Nigerians committed to democratic governance and political plurality to remain vigilant against such authoritarian tendencies. He asserted that the ADC would challenge the ruling legally and remain dedicated to defending Nigeria’s democratic structure. He called for a collective resistance to the apparent attempts to suppress opposition and highlighted the importance of protecting civil liberties and the multiparty system.
Governor Adeleke echoed Atiku’s sentiments, asserting that the ruling contradicted the Court of Appeal’s stay of proceedings. He called for calm among Osun residents, affirming that the rights to vote must be safeguarded and endorsing the ADC’s presence on the ballot for upcoming elections.
This controversy surrounding the court ruling is anticipated to attract considerable legal and political scrutiny in the immediate future, particularly concerning its implications for Nigeria’s political landscape and adherence to judicial orders. The judgment not only questions the resilience of Nigeria’s legal norms but also raises alarms about the integrity of its electoral processes as it approaches critical upcoming elections.
