Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has condemned a court ruling that invalidated the ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party.
Atiku condemned the judgement, saying it was a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and an attempt to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court order followed a ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, the National Forum of Former Legislators asked the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove political parties that do not meet the electoral performance thresholds outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.
The plaintiff stated that the five political parties named as defendants in the case had consistently failed to achieve the constitutional standards required to maintain their registration.
The former legislators emphasised that the qualifications included receiving at least 25% of the vote in a state during a presidential election or obtaining at least one electoral seat at the national, state, or municipal government levels.
They informed the court that the ADC and the four other parties did poorly in both the 2023 general elections and INEC by-elections, failing to secure seats at all levels of government.
Among other things, the plaintiff asked the court to determine that INEC is obligated to deregister such parties.
It also sought the court to order the commission to deregister the five political parties before the 2027 elections could begin.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the verdict raised severe constitutional and legal problems because it was issued despite the Court of Appeal’s existing order suspending proceedings in the suit.
According to Atiku, the verdict should alarm all Nigerians who value democratic governance, political pluralism, and the rule of law.
“The judgement represents a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
“What makes the situation even more disturbing is that this judgement was purportedly delivered despite a clear and subsisting order of the Court of Appeal. On May 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, granted an application staying further proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 pending the hearing and determination of the appeal before it.
“The implication of that order is not ambiguous. A stay of proceedings means precisely what it says. It freezes every further step in the matter, including the delivery of judgement. Any action taken contrary to that order raises serious questions about respect for the hierarchy of courts and fidelity to the rule of law.
“This latest judgement therefore does not merely contradict a subsisting appellate order; it strikes at the very foundation of legal certainty and constitutional governance. If court orders can be treated as optional whenever they become inconvenient to those in power, then the rule of law itself is in grave danger,” the statement read in part.
The former vice president linked the ruling to what he saw as a larger pattern of activities aimed at weakening opposition groups ahead of the 2027 elections.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Tinubu administration is singularly focused on eliminating major political opponents ahead of 2027.
“Rather than confronting the mounting crises facing the nation—rampant insecurity, economic hardship, rising poverty, unemployment, and the declining purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians—the government appears consumed by a desperate quest to neutralise every viable opposition platform.
“This is not governance. It is political elimination by other means.
“The Nigerian people can see what is happening. Opposition parties are being targeted. Democratic institutions are being pressured. State power is increasingly being deployed not for national development but for political survival,” the statement added.
Atiku, however, emphasised that the ADC would challenge the judgement through legal means and continue to defend Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system.
“We wish to reassure all members of the ADC, our supporters, and all Nigerians who believe in democratic competition that we will not be intimidated by these desperate manoeuvres.
“The battle before us transcends political parties. It is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy. It is a battle between those who believe in freedom of choice and those who seek to impose political uniformity through intimidation and institutional capture.
“We shall continue to pursue all lawful and constitutional avenues to defend our party, protect democratic freedoms, and preserve the multiparty system which remains the cornerstone of our constitutional order.
“We call on the judiciary, civil society organisations, the media, and all patriotic Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist every attempt to subvert democratic institutions for partisan advantage.
“Nigeria’s democracy was not won cheaply. It must not be surrendered cheaply,” he added.
Atiku went on to say that political pressure or judicial proceedings could not eliminate democratic rights and constitutional safeguards.
He stated that no amount of political desperation can overturn the Constitution, remove legitimate opposition, or quiet Nigerians demanding political change.
