A former Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Opeyemi Ajayi, has defended the recent Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, describing the decision as neither overreaching nor unconstitutional.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for allegedly failing to meet constitutional and electoral requirements.
The judgment followed a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the electoral performance benchmarks stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
Under Section 225A, INEC may deregister a political party that breaches registration requirements, fails to win at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election, or fails to secure at least one elective office in federal, state, or local government elections.
Reacting to the judgment, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned the ruling, describing it as unconstitutional and troubling.
He also claimed that INEC had expressly defended the party’s status before the court, arguing that it remained fully compliant with all constitutional and statutory requirements for political parties.
According to the party, the electoral commission clearly informed the court that the ADC had neither breached any registration condition nor failed to meet any constitutionally prescribed electoral-performance benchmark that could justify its deregistration.
The party quoted INEC as insisting that political parties could only be deregistered on grounds recognised by law, stressing that such decisions must not be influenced by political interests, public sentiment or pressure from vested groups.
It alleged that the Federal High Court proceeded with the matter despite an existing order of the Court of Appeal issued on May 22, 2026, directing that proceedings be stayed.
The party described the development as a violation of established judicial procedure and a disregard for the hierarchy of courts.
ADC Deregistration Order: Court Ruling More Of A Political Agenda Than Justice Being Served
-Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC Publicity Secretary#PoliticsToday pic.twitter.com/4NXnPUzvyY
— Channels Television (@channelstv) June 15, 2026
Similarly, Paul Ibe, an aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of the ADC, alleged that the ruling was part of an attempt by the Federal Government to weaken opposition parties.
In a statement posted on X, Ibe described the judgment as “judicial rascality,” arguing that the Court of Appeal had already directed Justice Lifu to stay further proceedings pending the hearing and determination of an appeal.
However, Ajayi disagreed with that position, maintaining that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to prevent a lower court from delivering judgment in a matter already before it.
According to him, the proper legal remedy available to the ADC is to challenge the verdict through the appellate process rather than dismissing it outright.
“The Court of Appeal cannot direct a lower court not to deliver judgment on a matter before it.
If any party is dissatisfied with the judgment, the appropriate step is to appeal,” Ajayi said.
He further advised the ADC to focus on resolving its internal divisions and reconciling its various factions, including those associated with former Senate President David Mark, Bala Gombe, and Ralph Nwosu Kachikwu, in order to strengthen the party’s position.
Ajayi noted that unless the judgment is successfully challenged and set aside by a higher court, it remains valid and binding.
“If the ADC believes the ruling is wrong, it should pursue an appeal.
But if it fails to appeal or secure a reversal, then the judgment should stand,” he added.
The judgment has generated widespread debate within Nigeria’s political and legal circles, with opposition figures raising concerns over its implications for multiparty democracy, while supporters insist that constitutional provisions governing political parties must be strictly enforced.
