“You Are Playing With Fire” — ADC Slams Tinubu Government Over Court Ruling on Party Deregistration

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the party and four others, describing the ruling as a dangerous threat to Nigeria's democracy and warning that those behind the move are "playing with fire."

In a statement issued on Monday, the party accused Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of disregarding constitutional principles and established judicial procedures in a case brought by the National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the deregistration of the ADC and other political parties.

The ADC noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is constitutionally empowered to regulate political parties, had earlier informed the court that the party had not breached any registration requirements and that no legal basis existed for its deregistration.

According to the party, INEC maintained that deregistration could only be carried out on constitutionally recognised grounds and not on political pressure or the demands of interested parties.

The opposition party further alleged that Justice Lifu proceeded with the matter despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order issued on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings, describing the action as a direct affront to judicial hierarchy and due process.

ADC also linked the case to what it called a broader effort by agents of the ruling party to weaken the opposition, pointing to the involvement of individuals allegedly connected to the President's Chief of Staff and the participation of the Attorney-General of the Federation in the matter.

The party questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came after the ADC had concluded its primaries and prepared candidates for the 2027 general elections, including the presidential contest.

Warning of possible consequences, the ADC said any attempt to eliminate a major opposition platform through judicial means could undermine democratic stability and disenfranchise hundreds of candidates and their supporters.

Describing the ruling as "reckless, provocative and incendiary," the party maintained that efforts to shrink Nigeria's democratic space for partisan advantage could trigger a wider political crisis.

"We wish to warn, in the strongest possible terms, that those who seek to manipulate state institutions to undermine democracy are playing with forces far greater than partisan interests," the statement said.