Nigeria's political landscape was plunged into fresh uncertainty yesterday after a Federal High Court ordered the deregistration of five political parties, triggering a fierce backlash from opposition leaders who cited a subsisting Court of Appeal order and warned of implications for the 2027 elections.
Court Orders Deregistration of Five Parties
The ruling has far-reaching political consequences, including the prospect that former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke could be left without party platforms for the 2027 presidential election and the forthcoming off-cycle governorship poll in Osun State.
The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) from its register of political parties.
In the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine, among other issues, whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to deregister political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance thresholds stipulated in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations.
The plaintiffs argued that the five parties had consistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration. They maintained that the requirements include securing at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective seat at the national, state or local government level.
"ADC and the four other parties," the plaintiffs further claimed, "performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and by-elections conducted by INEC, thereby failing to win seats across key tiers of government."
INEC had opposed the suit, contending that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the action and that the case lacked merit.
Court of Appeal Stay of Proceedings Ignored
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal had earlier granted a stay of further proceedings following an application filed by Accord Party and adjourned the appeal to October 27, 2026, for hearing. In an enrolment order dated May 22, 2026, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Mohammed A. Danjuma directed that proceedings at the Federal High Court be suspended pending the determination of the appeal.
Despite the subsisting stay of proceedings issued by the Court of Appeal, Justice Lifu held that the case instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) had merit and ordered INEC to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
ADC Rejects Deregistration Ruling, Alleges Plot to Weaken Opposition
Reacting, the African Democratic Congress rejected the Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration, describing the ruling as a threat to democracy and political stability, while warning against any attempt to remove the party from the ballot ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu was contrary to constitutional provisions and existing judicial processes, insisting that it would challenge the ruling through all lawful means.
The ADC alleged that the decision reflected efforts by the ruling party and the government to weaken the opposition and narrow the democratic space ahead of the next election cycle.
According to the party, the Constitution vests the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the authority to register and deregister political parties. It argued that the judgment contradicted INEC's position before the court and disregarded a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal staying proceedings in the matter.
"We are deeply alarmed by the judgment reportedly delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a case filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties," the statement said.
The party maintained that INEC, in its counter-affidavit filed before the court, had affirmed that the ADC neither violated registration requirements nor failed to meet constitutional electoral-performance thresholds that could justify its deregistration.
According to the ADC, INEC also stated that the deregistration of political parties must be based strictly on constitutionally established grounds and not on political considerations or external pressure.
The party further expressed concern that the judgment was delivered despite a subsisting order issued by the Court of Appeal on May 22, 2026, directing a stay of proceedings in the matter. It argued that proceeding with the case despite the appellate court order raised serious questions about adherence to established judicial procedures.
Describing the development as more than a legal dispute, the ADC said the ruling had the potential to undermine confidence in the democratic process and disrupt political participation.
The party also questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came after it had concluded its primaries and was preparing to field candidates in forthcoming elections, including the 2027 presidential poll.
It warned that any attempt to eliminate a major opposition party through judicial action could have far-reaching consequences for democratic competition and political stability.
"The ADC will not stand by while the democratic rights of millions of Nigerians are threatened," the party stated, adding that it would defend the interests of its candidates, members and supporters through constitutional means.
The opposition party said it would challenge the judgment at higher courts and mobilise democratic stakeholders in defence of what it described as the constitutional rights of political parties and voters.
The ADC also disclosed plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it termed the conduct of the trial judge, alleging that the handling of the matter had brought the judiciary into disrepute.
While urging its members, supporters, candidates and coalition partners to remain calm, vigilant and steadfast, the party expressed confidence that it would remain a participant in the 2027 electoral process.
"We will vigorously challenge this judgment through every lawful and constitutional avenue available to us," the statement added, assuring supporters that further directives would be communicated through appropriate channels.
David Mark: ADC Will Be on 2027 Ballot Despite Court Judgment
Also, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, described the judgment as "an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria's democracy" and insisted that the decision would not stand. According to him, the party remains confident that the ruling will be overturned through the judicial process.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, after receiving a delegation of ADC candidates in Abuja, the former Senate President argued that the Court of Appeal had earlier granted a stay of proceedings in the matter and fixed October 27, 2026, for further hearing, raising questions about the validity of a judgment delivered despite what he described as a subsisting appellate court order.
"The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians," Mark said.
He urged party faithful across the country to remain calm and focused, assuring them that the development would not derail the ADC's preparations for the next general elections.
"The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law," he added.
Mark also reaffirmed the party's commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and presenting what he described as a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeleke Rejects Party Deregistration Ruling, Cites Appeal Court Order
For his part, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke described the judgment deregistering five political parties, including Accord Party, as an abuse of court process and a violation of a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal.
Adeleke said the appellate court had earlier ordered a stay of proceedings in the matter, including the delivery of judgment, and expressed surprise that the lower court proceeded to issue its ruling despite the order.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor maintained that the Federal High Court ought not to have delivered judgment while the matter was pending before the Court of Appeal.
"It is on record before Honourable Justice Peter Lifu that, in the record of proceedings of the Court of Appeal of May 22, 2026, which was put before his Lordship as Exhibit MAC 2, the Court of Appeal specifically pronounced that 'the delivery of the judgment is still part of the proceedings of the court'," the statement said.
Adeleke urged residents of the state and party supporters to remain calm, noting that the Court of Appeal was scheduled to take up the matter tomorrow.
"Efforts to stop Osun people from exercising their voting rights will fail by the special grace of Almighty God. The rule of law and humanity shall prevail at the end of the day.
"I call on Osun people to remain calm and be assured that our rights will be affirmed and our party, Accord, will be on the ballot on August 15.
"We will not only be on the ballot, we will win the forthcoming governorship election overwhelmingly. We should remain calm and forge ahead with the mobilisation of our people.
"I also want to assure our people that the flag-off of our campaign is holding as scheduled tomorrow. They want to distract us. We are going ahead and we are winning this election," the governor said.
He added that his legal team had already begun taking steps to challenge the judgment.
APP Remains Legally Recognised Despite Deregistration Ruling, Says Ugochinyere
Also, the National Leader of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the party remains a legally recognised political party and is not affected by the judgment.
Ugochinyere, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), maintained this position while reacting to the decision that the ruling had been overtaken by existing judgments of superior courts affirming the party's legal status and continued existence.
According to him, available court records show that the APP's registration and legal standing have been upheld in a series of judgments delivered by the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
He noted that at least three separate Federal High Court judgments found that the APP met all constitutional and statutory requirements for registration as a political party, adding that those decisions were subsequently affirmed by the Court of Appeal and reinforced by the Supreme Court.
The lawmaker argued that, under the doctrine of judicial precedent and the hierarchy of courts, decisions affirmed by appellate courts and the Supreme Court remain binding and cannot be invalidated by a subsequent judgment of a lower court.
Ugochinyere therefore described Justice Lifu's ruling, insofar as it may be interpreted to affect the APP, as an academic exercise with no practical consequence for the party's legal recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
"The APP's status as a duly registered political party has already been settled by multiple judicial pronouncements culminating in decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Those judgments remain binding and enforceable," he said.
He further maintained that the APP remains qualified to field candidates and participate in all electoral activities, including the 2027 general elections, unless a contrary order is issued by a superior court with the requisite jurisdiction.
The clarification comes amid public debate over the implications of Justice Lifu's judgment and its potential impact on Nigeria's political landscape.
Ugochinyere insisted that the existing Court of Appeal and Supreme Court decisions affirming the APP's registration remain the prevailing law and continue to protect the party's legal status.
Consequently, he said the Action Peoples Party remains eligible to participate in the 2027 general elections and all other electoral processes in line with the subsisting judgments of the nation's higher courts.
Obi Faults Deregistration of Parties, Warns Against Politicising Institutions
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, criticised the Federal High Court judgment, warning that continued politicisation of public institutions could erode confidence in the country's legal system.
Reacting to the ruling in a post on his X handle, Obi said Nigeria's progress depends on strong and independent institutions, stressing that nations thrive when institutions are stronger than individuals.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate recalled the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, noting that he had expressed concern at the time about the signal such developments send regarding the sanctity and independence of the country's institutions.
According to him, strong economies are built on trust, and investors are more concerned about uncertainty in the rule of law and the perceived vulnerability of the judiciary to political pressure than other forms of risk.
Obi argued that many Nigerians have lost confidence in institutions meant to protect them, adding that some businesses now prefer contracts governed by foreign jurisdictions because of greater confidence in those legal systems.
"We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals," he said.
Describing the Federal High Court judgment as one of the developments that could further diminish public trust in the legal system, Obi called for the decision to be reversed.
He pledged support for efforts aimed at restoring the dignity, independence and integrity of the judiciary, stressing that justice must be impartial, accessible and respected by all.
The former Anambra State governor also called on judges, senior advocates and members of the legal profession to defend the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions in the country.
