Court-ordered deregistration of ADC politically motivated — Bolaji Abdullahi

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Bolaji Abdullahi

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The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the Federal High Court judgment directing the deregistration of the party as a politically motivated move aimed at undermining the opposition and damaging public confidence in the judiciary.

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Abdullahi made the assertion on Monday during an interview with ARISE NEWS while reacting to a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.

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The court held that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration and had breached provisions of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution.

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However, Abdullahi rejected the ruling, insisting that the legal action against the ADC was driven by political considerations rather than law.

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“We actually don’t think it’s legal. What is unfolding is political. The court is just the vehicle for promoting the political agenda,” he said.

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According to him, the implications of the judgment extend beyond the fortunes of the ADC and touch on the credibility of the nation’s judicial system.

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He alleged that the court action was triggered by the recent emergence of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate, arguing that the move was intended to weaken the momentum generated by the announcement.

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Abdullahi further questioned the validity of the proceedings, claiming that the Court of Appeal had earlier directed the Federal High Court to stay action on the matter until October 27.

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He argued that continuing with the case despite such an order raised serious concerns about adherence to judicial hierarchy and due process.

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“The Court of Appeal has ordered the Federal High Court to stay proceedings on this matter until October 27,” he said, describing the development as inconsistent with established legal principles.

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The ADC spokesman also dismissed suggestions that the party failed to meet constitutional or electoral requirements necessary to retain its registration.

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He noted that INEC, which is a party to the suit, had previously informed the court through an affidavit that the ADC did not fall within the category of political parties liable for deregistration.

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According to him, the electoral commission had acknowledged that the party met all constitutional and electoral conditions required for its continued existence.

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Abdullahi maintained that the ADC remains a legally recognised political party and questioned the basis for seeking its deregistration after more than two decades of political participation.

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He added that the party would continue to defend its legal status and challenge any attempt to remove it from Nigeria’s political landscape.

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