Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and an aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, have condemned the Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, describing the ruling as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

The condemnation followed Monday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
Justice Lifu held that the affected parties violated provisions of Section 225 of the Constitution, which empowers INEC to deregister political parties that fail to secure elective positions at the federal, state, or local government levels.

Reacting to the development, Sowore described the ruling as undemocratic and unjustifiable, particularly as it affects parties that have already concluded internal processes and are preparing for future elections.

In a post on X, the activist maintained that the decision undermines democratic participation and political pluralism.

“I totally condemn the deregistration of political parties that have already concluded their primaries and are preparing for general elections. Such an action is undemocratic and unjustifiable in a multi-party democracy. It shall not stand,” Sowore wrote.

Similarly, Paul Ibe, who serves as media aide to Atiku Abubakar and is a member of the ADC, alleged that the judgment forms part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the ruling represents “the height of judicial rascality” and raises concerns about what he described as efforts to push Nigeria towards a one-party state.

“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress along with other parties by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of Tinubu’s hell-bent bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a de facto one-party state,” Ibe stated.

More significantly, Ibe argued that the judgment ought not to have been delivered at all because the matter was already before the Court of Appeal, which had reportedly directed the lower court to halt further proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.

He cited Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026, in which a panel of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebukunola A. Banjoko and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi allegedly ordered a stay of further action in the case until the appeal is heard on October 27, 2026.

“The Court of Appeal had ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay further action on the matter until the hearing and determination of the appeal before it,” Ibe said.

The aide contended that proceeding with the judgment despite the appellate court’s directive raises questions about judicial propriety and due process, warning that the decision could trigger a fresh round of legal disputes ahead of the next electoral cycle.

He further accused the ruling party of attempting to manipulate the political landscape by shrinking the space available for opposition voices.

“Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of the government of the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost,” he added.

Political observers note that the ruling, if implemented, could significantly alter the configuration of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly as the ADC has recently emerged as a platform attracting interest from several opposition figures.

The controversy is expected to deepen in the coming days as affected parties weigh their legal options and seek clarification on the implications of the alleged Court of Appeal order restraining further proceedings in the matter.

The Atlantic Bell reports that for many critics, the central issue extends beyond the fate of the affected parties to the broader question of whether judicial decisions that potentially narrow political participation strengthen or weaken Nigeria’s democratic credentials.

They argue that the vitality of a democracy depends not only on elections but also on the existence of a vibrant multiparty system that offers citizens genuine political alternatives and safeguards against the concentration of power.