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African Democratic Congress rejects court order for deregistration, warns against undermining democracy
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The African Democratic Congress ADC has rejected a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to deregister the party and four others. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued the order based on the parties' alleged failure to meet constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022. The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators. The ADC described the judgment as alarming and unconstitutional, stating it contradicts established legal standards and prior submissions by INEC. The party claims INEC had previously maintained that the ADC met all registration requirements and had not breached any constitutional threshold for deregistration. The ADC also alleged that the trial court proceeded despite a subsisting Court of Appeal order from May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings in the matter, calling it a breach of judicial hierarchy. The party views this development as a continuation of efforts by the ruling party to undermine the opposition, especially the ADC, and suggested the timing of the ruling, after its primaries for the 2027 elections, is suspicious. The ADC warned that eliminating a major opposition party through judicial maneuvering could lead to anarchy and stated it would challenge the judgment through all lawful and constitutional channels, while also planning to petition the National Judicial Council, accusing the presi
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