Bolaji Abdullahi: The Attempt to Deregister ADC Is Purely Political; Judicial Credibility At Stake

The national publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the court-ordered move to deregister the party as a politically motivated action, warning that the development raises serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.

This comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), to deregister the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), and four other political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration. In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the affected parties breached Section 225 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Abdullahi argued that the legal challenge against the ADC reflects a broader political agenda and could undermine public confidence in the nation’s courts.

“We actually don’t think it’s legal. What is unfolding is political. The courts is just the vehicle for promoting the political agenda. Everything is politics. What is at stake is not just the politics of African Democratic Congress, it’s also about the sanity of the judicial institution,” he warned.

Alleging that the court action was a reaction to the ADC’s announcement of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as its vice-presidential candidate, Abdullahi argued that the move was intended to distract from and diminish the momentum generated by the development.

“We have no doubt in our mind that it’s a panicky measure taken in reaction to our announcement that Right Honorable Rotimi Amaechi will be the running mate. So, to kill the momentum of that story, so they had to come up with this,” he alleged.

Questioning the legal basis of the proceedings, Abdullahi maintained that the Court of Appeal had earlier directed the Federal High Court to stay action on the matter until October 27, arguing that any continuation of the case despite that order raises serious concerns about judicial hierarchy and due process.

“The Court of Appeal has ordered the Federal High Court, a lower court, this Justice Lifu’s court—the Court of Appeal has said, ‘Stay proceedings on this matter until October 27.’ So, it is contempt of the higher court. It’s bold against anything about jurisprudence that a lower court will disobey a direct order of a higher court,” he argued.

Responding to claims that the ADC failed to meet constitutional and electoral thresholds, Abdullahi dismissed the basis of the ruling, arguing that even INEC, a party to the suit, had affirmed before the court that the ADC did not fall within the category of political parties liable for deregistration.

“We don’t think so we failed the requirements. And INEC doesn’t think so. Don’t forget that INEC was a party to this case, and INEC had deposed an affidavit at the same Federal High Court saying, as far as INEC is concerned—and don’t forget, the Constitution of Nigeria empowers only INEC to register and deregister political parties. And INEC is saying, ‘Court, as far as we are concerned, ADC does not fall in the category of parties that will be deregistered based on either constitutional—failure to meet constitutional requirements or to meet electoral requirements.’ They have met all conditions to exist as a political party in the last 20 years.”

Abdullahi maintained that the party’s legal status remains valid under the law, questioning the grounds for the suit and describing the dispute as lacking demonstrable harm to justify deregistration.

“The part of the Constitution that has been cited, uh, Section 225A. It says clearly here that the Constitution that’s about deregistration of political parties, it is under Chapter 6, it said, ‘The Independent National Electoral Commission shall have power to deregister a political party for: A: Breach of any of the requirements for registration.’ That is settled. ADC has not breached any of the requirements for registration,” he insisted.

On the steps the ADC plans to take following the ruling, the national publicity secretary confirmed that the party would approach the Court of Appeal immediately to challenge the decision, reiterating that the party would rely on legal avenues while continuing to reject the judgment as politically motivated.

“I can assure you by tomorrow morning, we are in the Court of Appeal. We have to obey the institution because we’re a law-abiding party, and we still have faith in the institution of judiciary, regardless of what individual judges are doing at the lower level or at whatever level,” he said.

Reiterating that the timing of the ruling was deliberate, Abdullahi maintained that it was politically orchestrated rather than coincidental, insisting that the ADC had been taken by surprise by the judgment, while affirming that the party would remain on the ballot despite ongoing legal and political challenges.

“It’s orchestrated. I mean, what kind of coincidence is that? I mean, normally, We were gazumped, as it were. And that’s why we say for us, it is very clear that this is not about justice, it’s about politics. But it will not work. And like we said, ADC will contest the 2027 election. If the election is going to hold in 2027, ADC will be on the ballot,” he insisted.

Expressing confidence that the ruling would not survive appellate scrutiny, Abdullahi said the ADC believed the courts would ultimately correct what it considered a flawed judgment.

“We have no doubt that it will not survive. We have no doubt in our mind. As long as Nigeria is still a country of law.”

He added that the party had faith in the judiciary’s responsibility to protect democratic principles and avoid decisions that could be seen as undermining Nigeria’s constitutional history.

“Regardless of whatever is happening, we are confident that the judicial institution also understand the responsibility that they have to this country. They know that in 1993, the death of democracy started from the judiciary, and everyone refers to that moment as the lowest moment in the history of judiciary in this country. I’m sure the current generation of Nigerian judicial managers will not allow this to be their legacy,” he underscored.

Defending the party’s structure and appeal, Abdullahi rejected claims that the ADC’s growth was driven solely by political heavyweights, insisting instead that it was rooted in the party’s founding philosophy and constitution.

“This party has always existed. And we looked at the Constitution of the ADC at the point—the foundational philosophy of the ADC was what appealed to us. We are very proud that the new Constitution is the only Constitution in Nigerian political party system that has an ethical framework embedded in it. To say that if you are elected on the platform of ADC, there are lines you cannot cross. Whether it’s Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, or all these, they signed to this! That when they emerge on the platform of ADC, there are things they will not do. So, that is the ambition,” he said.

On whether the ADC has a contingency plan if the legal battle is unsuccessful, Abdullahi stated the party remains focused on participating in the 2027 general elections.

“What I can assure you is what I’ve said earlier: the ADC will contest the 2027 election.”

Addressing concerns over internal disputes in the ADC, Abdullahi said the ADC adopted direct primaries due to Electoral Act changes, describing the nationwide process as proof of its commitment to internal democracy.

“When the Electoral Act was signed by the President, dictating that parties could only produce candidates through either consensus or direct primaries, we felt the Electoral Commission was throwing us a curveball. We had been preparing to conduct indirect primaries, which are much more manageable. When you are suddenly forced to choose between consensus or direct primaries—and we all know how difficult consensus is to engineer—we were left with no choice but to opt for direct primaries,” he explained.

Assuring the party’s candidates of the ADC’s stability, Abdullahi said the ADC would contest the 2027 elections and that all its nominated aspirants would run under its platform despite ongoing legal uncertainties.

“We are stating a fact: the African Democratic Congress will contest the 2027 election. We want to assure our candidates that they have absolutely nothing to worry about; every single one of them will run on the ADC platform. We are entirely confident in this,” he assured.

Speaking on the ongoing legal dispute, Abdullahi said the ADC remained focused on both its court case and political mobilisation, expressing confidence that the party would continue to attract support ahead of the 2027 elections despite the uncertainty.

“Despite the legal uncertainties, people are still actively joining the ADC. Why? Because people recognize that the ADC represents a genuine alternative for Nigerians. That alternative is exactly what the ruling party and the Federal Government fear.

“Our objectives are clear, and we won’t be distracted. We have been fighting this battle from day one. We have a robust legal team handling the courts, allowing us as politicians to focus on convincing Nigerians that this party is the future,” he said.

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