Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned in the strongest terms the judgement seeking to deregister the ADC and several other opposition political parties, describing it as a dangerous assault on constitutional democracy and further evidence of a coordinated effort to eliminate political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the ruling should alarm every Nigerian who believes in democracy, political pluralism, and the rule of law.

He noted that the judgement was particularly troubling because it was delivered in the face of a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal which had expressly stayed further proceedings in the matter pending the determination of an appeal.

“The judgement represents a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant assault on Nigeria’s democracy.

“What makes the situation even more disturbing is that this judgement was purportedly delivered despite a clear and subsisting order of the Court of Appeal. On May 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, granted an application staying further proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 pending the hearing and determination of the appeal before it.

“The implication of that order is not ambiguous. A stay of proceedings means precisely what it says. It freezes every further step in the matter, including the delivery of judgement. Any action taken contrary to that order raises serious questions about respect for the hierarchy of courts and fidelity to the rule of law.

“This latest judgement therefore does not merely contradict a subsisting appellate order; it strikes at the very foundation of legal certainty and constitutional governance. If court orders can be treated as optional whenever they become inconvenient to those in power, then the rule of law itself is in grave danger.”

Atiku said the judgement fits into an increasingly obvious pattern of political persecution and institutional manipulation aimed at weakening opposition parties before the next election cycle.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Tinubu administration is singularly focused on eliminating major political opponents ahead of 2027.

“Rather than confronting the mounting crises facing the nation—rampant insecurity, economic hardship, rising poverty, unemployment, and the declining purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians—the government appears consumed by a desperate quest to neutralise every viable opposition platform.

“This is not governance. It is political elimination by other means.

“The Nigerian people can see what is happening. Opposition parties are being targeted. Democratic institutions are being pressured. State power is increasingly being deployed not for national development but for political survival.”

The former vice president urged members of the ADC and supporters of democratic governance across the country not to be discouraged by the ruling.

“We wish to reassure all members of the ADC, our supporters, and all Nigerians who believe in democratic competition that we will not be intimidated by these desperate manoeuvres.

“The battle before us transcends political parties. It is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy. It is a battle between those who believe in freedom of choice and those who seek to impose political uniformity through intimidation and institutional capture.

“We shall continue to pursue all lawful and constitutional avenues to defend our party, protect democratic freedoms, and preserve the multiparty system which remains the cornerstone of our constitutional order.

“We call on the judiciary, civil society organisations, the media, and all patriotic Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist every attempt to subvert democratic institutions for partisan advantage.

“Nigeria’s democracy was not won cheaply. It must not be surrendered cheaply.”

Atiku stressed that no amount of political desperation can override the Constitution, extinguish the opposition, or silence the democratic aspirations of millions of Nigerians who desire change.

The National Chairman and presidential candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Dan Nwanyanwu, has said that the ruling delivered against his party and four others by the Federal High Court will end up exposing all that has been allegedly going on in that particular court.

He described Justice Peter Lifu’s ruling, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately de-register the parties as a travesty of justice.

DAILY POST reported on Monday that Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has ordered INEC to immediately deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Accord, ZLP and others from participating in the 2027 general elections over alleged constitutional breaches.

Justice Lifu issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by a group of former lawmakers in the country.

By the judgment, former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the ADC Atiku Abubakar has no platform to stand for the forthcoming presidential election.

Similarly, Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke billed to re-contest in the August 15 governorship election on the platform of Accord Party has been kicked out of the race.

The Court of Appeal has stayed proceedings in this matter. However, despite being aware of the order, Justice Peter Lifu went ahead this morning, after issuing notices for parties to appear in court, and delivered judgment.

Speaking about the judgement on Arise News, Nwanyanwu said, “What happened today is travesty of justice. What happened today can never be accommodated in the legal practice. Without going into too much details, the proceedings in this court has been stayed by the Court of Appeal, and this particular judge, Peter Lifu, wanted to give judgment on the fifth of this month, and when he saw the stay, he couldn’t deliver the judgment. We were in court that day.

“Just this morning, about 9 o’clock, he sent notices to all the parties to be in court, and he gave the judgment. So you ask yourself, is there no more respect to the hierarchy of courts? In fact, his attention was drawn to the appeal. His attention was drawn to the proceedings in the Court of Appeal.

“He said, ‘Yes, I know, yes, I know,’ and he chose to ignore it. That is irresponsible with the greatest respect. It is something that will now expose all that has been going on within the judiciary, particularly the federal high court.”