The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the Federal High Court judgment directing the deregistration of the party as a politically motivated move aimed at undermining the opposition and damaging public confidence in the judiciary.
Abdullahi made the assertion on Monday during an interview with ARISE NEWS while reacting to a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.
The court held that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration and had breached provisions of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution.
However, Abdullahi rejected the ruling, insisting that the legal action against the ADC was driven by political considerations rather than law.
“We actually don’t think it’s legal. What is unfolding is political. The court is just the vehicle for promoting the political agenda,” he said.
According to him, the implications of the judgment extend beyond the fortunes of the ADC and touch on the credibility of the nation’s judicial system.
He alleged that the court action was triggered by the recent emergence of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate, arguing that the move was intended to weaken the momentum generated by the announcement.
Abdullahi further questioned the validity of the proceedings, claiming that the Court of Appeal had earlier directed the Federal High Court to stay action on the matter until October 27.
He argued that continuing with the case despite such an order raised serious concerns about adherence to judicial hierarchy and due process.
“The Court of Appeal has ordered the Federal High Court to stay proceedings on this matter until October 27,” he said, describing the development as inconsistent with established legal principles.
The ADC spokesman also dismissed suggestions that the party failed to meet constitutional or electoral requirements necessary to retain its registration.
He noted that INEC, which is a party to the suit, had previously informed the court through an affidavit that the ADC did not fall within the category of political parties liable for deregistration.
According to him, the electoral commission had acknowledged that the party met all constitutional and electoral conditions required for its continued existence.
Abdullahi maintained that the ADC remains a legally recognised political party and questioned the basis for seeking its deregistration after more than two decades of political participation.
He added that the party would continue to defend its legal status and challenge any attempt to remove it from Nigeria’s political landscape.
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