The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on party members, supporters, and candidates on the platform of the party not to despair over the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which purportedly ordered the deregistration of the ADC and some other political parties.

This was disclosed by Kola Ologbondiyan, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

Senator David Mark, in a swift reaction while receiving a delegation of the party’s candidates who paid him a visit in Abuja on Monday, described the judgment as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy,” assuring party faithful that the decision would be overturned by superior courts.

He recalled that the Court of Appeal had earlier ordered a stay of proceedings in the matter and adjourned further hearing to October 27, 2027.

He therefore questioned how a judgment could validly be delivered while the subsisting order of the appellate court remained in force.

“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” he stated.

He urged ADC candidates and supporters across the country to remain calm, focused, and committed to the party’s mission, stressing that there was no cause for alarm.

“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members, and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law,” he added.

Senator Mark further reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Saturday, June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has symbolically shown the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election, a “red card,” declaring that the governor would be voted out of office at the polls.

Oluyede made the declaration during the PDP’s grand finale governorship campaign rally held in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, where he expressed confidence in his chances of defeating the incumbent governor at the polls.

“I have given Oyebanji a red card today. In football, a red card means dismissal. Consequently, I have expelled him from the Government House and secured freedom for the people of Ekiti,” Oluyede said.

The PDP candidate maintained that he would emerge victorious in the election, insisting that many Ekiti residents were dissatisfied with the current administration.

“The people of Ekiti, whom I believe have been impoverished under the present administration, are ready to support me and vote for change. The June 20 election is not just about the PDP; it is about all Ekiti people who desire a better future,” he said.

Oluyede described the election as a “freedom fight” and urged eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process and also protect their votes.

“Your vote is your power. Do not allow anyone to intimidate you. Arrive at your polling units early and ensure that the ballot boxes are empty before voting begins. After casting your votes, remain at the polling units and monitor the process until the votes are counted and recorded,” he said.

He encouraged voters to follow the electoral process through to the collation stage and expressed confidence that security agencies would provide adequate protection throughout the exercise.

Oluyede also advised voters not to sell their votes, stressing that the future of the state depended on the choices they would make in the election.

Oluyede questioned the impact of the federal allocations received by the Ekiti State Government in the last three and a half years under the current administration of Oyebanji.

According to him, the state deserves better infrastructure and development outcomes, considering the level of resources available to the government.

He urged residents to make informed decisions during the election and vote massively for the PDP for a better future for Ekiti State.

“If anyone offers you money, that is your personal decision. However, vote for the PDP by thumb-printing the Umbrella symbol on the ballot paper if you desire a better future for Ekiti State.

“Do not be deceived by fake news and propaganda. That is their stock-in-trade. Many stories and allegations may surface before election day, but you should ignore them. They have failed the people. God has made me the David who will defeat and humble their Goliath,” Oluyede added.

Timi Frank, former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the recent Abuja High Court judgment deregistering the African Democratic Congress and political parties is a recipe for an incoming national crisis nationwide. 

Recall that Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Abuja, in a ruling on Monday, had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the Democratic Congress, ADC, Accord Party, and others from participating in the 2027 general election. 

The judgment had stirred concerns among Nigerians. 

ADC, however, announced a plan to appeal the judgment. 

 Reacting to the judgment, Timi Frank, in a statement on Monday, said it was an attempt to eliminate major opposition platforms, noting that it could trigger a national crisis and undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

He called on President Donald Trump of the United States and members of the international community to urgently intervene to preserve Nigeria’s multiparty democracy alive. 

“The judgment came suddenly without prior notice to the parties involved. From the information available to us, it appeared that the judgment had been prepared elsewhere and simply delivered by the court,” he alleged.

“Nobody knew about it. There was no information and no briefing, even to the lawyers representing the parties. The judgment was given suddenly. It was something they plotted and cooked up to make it look legitimate without even notifying the parties involved,” Frank alleged.

He described the ruling as a “mystery judgment.” Frank alleged that it was orchestrated to achieve a predetermined political outcome.

“From the information we received, the judgment was written elsewhere and handed to the judge. The Office of the Attorney General wrote the script, and the judge merely played out that script,” he alleged.

Frank further alleged that the reported move to deregister opposition parties was part of a broader campaign to weaken political opposition and consolidate power.

“It must be noted that any attempt by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and those working with him to deregister political parties, particularly major opposition parties such as the ADC, will give rise to a crisis that may be difficult to contain,” he said.

“The time has come for all lovers of democracy to rise in defense of the democratic gains Nigerians have fought hard to achieve. Silence in the face of these developments could have far-reaching consequences for the future of our country,” he said.