A Federal High Court ruling ordering the deregistration of five political parties has triggered a fierce backlash from opposition figures, who warned that the decision could undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and deepen political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance and Zenith Labour Party for allegedly failing to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements.
The case was brought by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the affected parties had failed to secure the electoral thresholds required under Section 225A of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
The group contended that the parties did not win at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election or secure elective positions at the federal, state or local government levels, thereby forfeiting their right to remain registered.
But the ruling immediately drew condemnation from leading opposition politicians, including former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, who described it as a direct assault on democratic governance and political pluralism.
In a statement issued through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the judgment raised serious legal concerns because it was delivered despite what he said was a subsisting Court of Appeal order staying proceedings in the matter pending the determination of an appeal.
“The judgment represents a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.
According to Atiku, the appellate court’s order of 22 May 2026 expressly halted all further proceedings in the case, including the delivery of judgment.
“A stay of proceedings means precisely what it says,” he argued. “It freezes every further step in the matter, including the delivery of judgment.”
The former presidential candidate linked the ruling to what he described as broader efforts to weaken opposition parties before the next election cycle.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Tinubu administration is singularly focused on eliminating major political opponents ahead of 2027,” he said, accusing the government of prioritising political survival over pressing national challenges such as insecurity, poverty and unemployment.
Atiku vowed that the ADC would challenge the judgment through all available legal channels, insisting that the dispute had implications far beyond the future of a single political party.
“The battle before us transcends political parties. It is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy,” he said.
The judgment also provoked criticism from Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, whose Accord Party is among those affected.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke maintained that the ruling violated an order of the Court of Appeal and urged supporters to remain calm while the matter proceeded through the courts.
“The Court of Appeal is taking up the matter tomorrow,” he said. “This effort to stop Osun people from exercising their voting rights will fail.”
The governor insisted that the Accord Party would remain on the ballot for the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State and expressed confidence that the decision would eventually be overturned.
The ADC itself rejected the judgment, accusing powerful interests within the ruling establishment of attempting to weaponise the judiciary against political opponents.
In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party argued that INEC had previously informed the court that there were no constitutional grounds for its deregistration.
The party also questioned why the judgment was delivered despite the existence of a stay of proceedings from the Court of Appeal.
“We are deeply alarmed by the judgment,” the statement said, describing it as a move that could trigger a wider political crisis.
The ADC alleged that the ruling formed part of a broader campaign to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that excluding viable opposition parties from the political process could destabilise the country.
“Any attempt to eliminate the country’s major opposition party through judicial manoeuvring is a direct invitation to anarchy,” the party said.
ADC national chairman, Senator David Mark, described the judgment as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy”, expressing confidence that higher courts would overturn the ruling.
“The judgment cannot stand,” he said. “It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process.”
Opposition groups and political activists echoed similar concerns.
Yunusa Tanko, a former spokesman for Peter Obi’s presidential campaign council and national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, accused the government of fuelling political tension.
“This is terrible, totally unacceptable and very chaotic for Nigeria at this time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party’s national publicity secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, offered a blunt assessment of the development, describing it as a “recipe for national crisis”.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party also condemned the judgment, warning that it risked eroding public confidence in both the judiciary and the electoral system.
The controversy is expected to move swiftly to the appellate courts, where attention is likely to focus on the legal validity of the Federal High Court’s decision and the implications of the Court of Appeal’s earlier order.
Beyond the courtroom, however, the dispute has reignited a broader debate about the health of Nigeria’s democracy, the future of opposition politics and whether the political space is narrowing as the country edges closer to another fiercely contested electoral cycle.
