ADC Deregistration Is Tinubu’s Bid To Entrench One-Party State — Atiku’s Aide

Paul Ibe, the media adviser to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the Federal High Court judgement ordering the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties, describing the ruling as a deliberate attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to weaken the opposition and establish a one-party state.

Ibe made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday while reacting to the judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Accord Party (A), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Reacting to the development, Ibe alleged that the judgement was politically motivated and aimed at undermining democratic competition.

“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) 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.

He further described the judgement as “the height of judicial rascality.”

The Atiku’s media aide also argued that Justice Lifu ought not to have proceeded with the matter because, according to him, the Court of Appeal had already directed that further action on the case be suspended pending the determination of an appeal.

According to Ibe, a three-member panel of the appellate court Justices had earlier issued an order restraining further proceedings in the matter.

“The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had in Appeal No. 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 stated.

“The hearing for the appeal was scheduled for the 27th of October 2026. That order was dated 22nd of May 2026,” Ibe said.

The spokesman further accused the ruling party of attempting to manipulate the political environment ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of the government of the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost,” he stated.

Ibe’s reaction came hours after Justice Lifu ordered INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties for allegedly failing to meet constitutional performance thresholds required for continued operationas political parties.

The judgement followed a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the affected parties had failed to satisfy the electoral benchmarks stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

The court’s decision has potential far-reaching implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly for politicians associated with the ADC and the other paritws, including opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, who had earlier secured presidential ticket of the party as a possible platform for a broad opposition coalition for 2027 elections.