Atiku explodes over ADC deregistration ruling: ‘This is judicial rascality’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress as “the height of judicial rascality.”

Atiku said the ruling was a desperate attempt to weaken the opposition and push Nigeria towards a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former vice president’s position was contained in a statement posted on X by his media adviser, Paul Ibe.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC and four other political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, ordered the deregistration of the ADC alongside other affected parties.

Reacting to the ruling, Atiku alleged that the judgment was part of a broader plot to undermine opposition parties before the next general election.

“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress 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 de facto one-party state,” he said.

“The judgment is the height of judicial rascality.”

Atiku also claimed that the judgment was delivered despite a pending appeal and an existing order of the Court of Appeal directing the Federal High Court to stay further action on the matter.

According to him, the Court of Appeal had ordered Justice Lifu to halt proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

He said the order was issued in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025.

Atiku said the appeal had been fixed for hearing on October 27, 2026, adding that the stay order was dated May 22, 2026.

“The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had in Appeal CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay further action on the matter until the hearing and determination of the appeal before it,” he said.

“The hearing for the appeal was scheduled for the 27th of October 2026.

“That order was dated 22nd of May 2026. Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost.”

The ADC had earlier rejected the judgment, insisting that it would challenge the ruling through all available constitutional and legal channels.

The party also maintained that it would remain on the ballot for the 2027 general elections despite the court order.