The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the recent judgment of a Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside its earlier decision recognising the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a registered political party, describing the ruling as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.
The party warned that judicial actions capable of weakening opposition parties could undermine democratic competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over Friday’s court ruling, which nullified an earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
Justice Isah Dashen, who presided over the case, held that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo adopted by the NDC.
Reacting to the development, Abdullahi called for greater judicial independence and cautioned against the use of legal processes to weaken opposition parties.
“The Lokoja Federal High Court’s decision raises serious questions about the state of Nigeria’s democracy,” he stated.
According to him, opposition parties have repeatedly faced avoidable internal crises arising from legal disputes and administrative actions that appear designed to weaken democratic competition.
“The cumulative effect of these attacks is unmistakable. They weaken the opposition, narrow democratic space and strengthen those already holding political power,” Abdullahi said.
He argued that the issue extends beyond partisan politics, warning that prolonged legal uncertainty could erode Nigerians’ constitutional right to freely choose credible political alternatives.
“Democracy is sustained by fair competition, institutional neutrality and equal treatment under the law. This has not been the case,” he added.
Abdullahi noted that with less than seven months to the general elections, every action capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process should attract close scrutiny from citizens and democratic institutions.
He stressed that the judiciary remains one of the last lines of defence for democracy and should not be perceived as determining political contests.
“The judiciary remains one of democracy’s last lines of defence and must never appear to settle political contests,” he stated.
The ADC spokesman further maintained that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, warning against any perception of partisan judicial interference.
He called on opposition parties, civil society organisations, organised labour, members of the legal profession, media practitioners and Nigerians to work together in defending constitutional democracy.
“Yesterday’s target was the NDC. Tomorrow, it could be anyone offering Nigerians an alternative. We must defend democratic space before it disappears,” Abdullahi said.
He also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against attempts to intimidate, weaken or silence legitimate opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, political participation and the right of citizens to freely elect their leaders.
Abdullahi reaffirmed that the ADC would continue to support efforts aimed at protecting constitutional democracy and preserving Nigeria’s democratic space.
