ABUJA: A Nigerian federal court on Monday ordered the country’s electoral commission to deregister one of the main opposition parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), along with four other political parties, in a ruling that could significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of next January’s elections.
Federal High Court Judge Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the ADC and the other affected parties from its official register, siding with former lawmakers who argued that the parties failed to meet constitutional and electoral performance requirements.
Under Nigerian law, a political party must either win at least one elective office at any level of government or secure a minimum of 25% of votes in at least one state during a presidential election. Parties that fail to meet these thresholds risk being deregistered.
The decision presents a major challenge for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate and one of the leading opposition figures seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu. Political analysts say the ruling could narrow the opposition field and alter electoral dynamics ahead of the vote.
Reacting to the judgment, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi strongly condemned the decision, describing it as “a direct invitation to anarchy.”
“The party will challenge this ruling through all available legal and constitutional channels,” Abdullahi said.
The ruling is expected to trigger a legal battle and intensify political debate over electoral competition and democratic representation in Africa’s most populous nation.
-Hugh Gbogbo
