The African Democratic Congress (ADC) faces deregistration following a Federal High Court order, but chieftain Kelly Agaba has outlined three critical actions the party must take to survive before the 2027 general elections. Agaba described the court ruling as a desperate attempt to truncate democracy and push Nigeria toward a one-party state, directly attacking the pluralism guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
Legal Action: Appeal Court Intervention
Agaba urged the ADC leadership to immediately pursue an appeal, citing the precedent where the Appeal Court nullified a similar Abuja High Court ruling the next day. He stressed that restoring the party on the ballot is essential through legal channels, as the party met all constitutional and INEC requirements. According to Agaba, INEC's register is the legal evidence of compliance, and deregistration via a backdoor suit is unacceptable.
Political Mobilization: Defend Multi-Party Democracy
Agaba called for mass mobilization of Nigerians to defend multi-party democracy, arguing that having only one name on the ballot does not constitute an election. He emphasized that Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution ensures citizen participation in government, and removing parties undermines that right. The ADC chieftain warned that democracy requires alternatives, and courts should not be used to shrink political space.
Constitutional Challenge: Hold Institutions Accountable
Agaba demanded that all institutions be held to Sections 40 and 222 of the Constitution, as well as Sections 75-77 of the Electoral Act 2022. These provisions guarantee freedom of association and give INEC sole power to register and deregister parties only on specific grounds, such as failure to win elections over consecutive cycles. He argued that deregistering a compliant party violates constitutional guarantees.
Agaba concluded that the ADC remains on the ballot and will not be erased in the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, raised alarms about attempts to block the party's participation, urging Nigerians to defend democracy and oppose restrictions on voter choices. Atiku also accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining democracy through plans to deregister opposition parties, warning that diminishing political competition threatens national stability.
