ADC’s deregistration Tinubu’s attempt to undermine opposition, says Atiku’s aide

Paul Ibe, aide to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has described the Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and other political parties as an attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to undermine opposition parties.

He also alleged that the move is part of a broader effort to push Nigeria toward a one-party state.

Ibe made the allegation in a statement posted on X on Monday, where he also dismissed the ruling as “judicial rascality,” following the court’s decision in Abuja directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action People’s Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and other parties.

“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) @ADCNig 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 defacto one-party state. The judgment is the height of judicial rascality,” he wrote.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The suit challenged the continued registration of several political parties, alleging non-compliance with constitutional and electoral requirements.

The court ordered INEC to proceed with the immediate deregistration of the affected parties, a decision that has triggered political tension and is expected to lead to further legal battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, Ibe argued that the judgment should not have been delivered in the first place, citing a pending appellate process on the matter.

He referenced Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026, where the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebukunola A. Banjoko, and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi, reportedly ordered the lower court to stay further proceedings pending the determination of the appeal scheduled for 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 stated.

He further accused the government of attempting to manipulate the political space ahead of the 2027 elections.

“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.