Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called the Federal High Court's judgment to deregister the African Democratic Congress a "manifestation of judicial rascality." The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC and four other parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements. Atiku, in a statement shared on X by his media adviser Paul Ibe, claimed the judgment was issued despite a Court of Appeal order dated May 22, 2026, instructing Justice Lifu to stay proceedings in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025. The appeal, registered as Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026, had been scheduled for hearing on October 27, 2026, before the Federal High Court delivered its decision.
Atiku described the ruling as part of a broader effort by the ruling party to weaken opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. He accused President Tinubu's allies of pushing Nigeria toward a de facto one-party state. "The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress along with other parties by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of Tinubu's hell-bent bid to undermine the opposition," Atiku said. The ADC has rejected the judgment and vowed to challenge it through all constitutional and legal means. The party insists it remains eligible for the 2027 ballot despite the court's order.
Atiku points to a Court of Appeal stay order dated May 22, 2026, yet the Federal High Court issued a ruling in the same case days later. This creates a direct conflict between court decisions that undermines legal certainty. Nigerian voters are left questioning the integrity of judicial processes shaping the 2027 election landscape. The ADC's place on the ballot now hinges on which court's authority prevails.
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