The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned a Federal High Court ruling that deregistered the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately remove the affected parties from the electoral process. In a statement posted on ๐, the NDC described the ruling as a threat to Nigeria's democratic system and urged citizens to speak out against it.
The party argued that the deregistration should not be seen as an isolated action targeting only the affected parties. It warned that measures taken against one opposition group could set a precedent affecting others in the future. According to the NDC, the court order raises serious concerns about the state of political plurality and the health of opposition politics in Nigeria. The party emphasized that every political platform has a right to exist and participate in elections as guaranteed by law.
NDC called for national resistance to what it termed an attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to push Nigeria toward a one-party state. It stated, "The court order must be condemned by all and sundry. An injury to one is an injury to all." The party expressed solidarity with the affected parties and urged Nigerians to defend democratic values and political competition.
The NDC claims to defend pluralism while framing the court's ruling as a plot by the APC, yet offers no legal argument against the judiciary's decision. It uses the deregistration of other parties to fuel political rhetoric without clarifying whether those parties violated electoral laws. The statement assumes all opposition parties deserve protection regardless of compliance with regulations. This blurs the line between defending democracy and shielding political entities from accountability.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer โ
