Kwara ADC challenges removal, claims court ruling driven by politics

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has vehemently denounced a recent Federal High Court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the party, along with four other political parties, characterizing the move as a blatant affront to Nigeria's democratic system.

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This judgment, handed down by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party, citing their alleged failure to meet certain electoral performance requirements outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

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The suit that led to this ruling was initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators, prompting a strong reaction from the ADC Kwara State chapter, which issued a statement in Ilorin rejecting the ruling in its entirety.

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Through its State Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Basambo, the ADC Kwara State chapter asserted that the judgment constitutes an attack on democratic freedoms, describing it as a threat to Nigeria's democratic stability and warning against attempts to undermine opposition parties through judicial interpretations of electoral performance thresholds.

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The party contended that deregistering political parties based on past electoral performance ahead of the 2027 elections would be equivalent to unilaterally rewriting the Constitution, and that such a move would distort constitutional provisions guaranteeing political participation and association.

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The ADC argued that no court has the authority to dissolve political parties on grounds not explicitly stated in the law, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right to form and belong to political parties.

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According to the party, the ruling is an attempt by forces within the ruling establishment to weaken opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, aimed at frustrating, intimidating, and destabilizing parties that pose as credible alternatives.

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The ADC warned that enforcing this judgment would erode public confidence in the electoral process, stating that it would not only undermine democracy but also compromise the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process.

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Despite this, the party urged its members across Kwara State and Nigeria to remain calm, insisting that the ruling would not stand, and that the will of Nigerians cannot be deregistered by any court.

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The ADC assured its members that the party was built on the mandate of the people, not on the mercy of any judge or government, and expressed confidence that with the support of Almighty Allah and the resilience of its people, the party would emerge stronger and record a resounding victory in the coming election.

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The party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to resist implementing the court order and appealed to the judiciary, civil society organizations, and pro-democracy advocates to defend democratic principles in Nigeria.