A new development has emerged in the legal battle surrounding the status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally opposed moves to deregister the party.
According to court filings reviewed by this reporter, INEC argued that the application seeking the ADC’s deregistration does not satisfy the constitutional and legal conditions required for such action. The commission emphasized that its authority to deregister political parties is strictly guided by law and cannot be exercised arbitrarily or influenced by political considerations.
INEC maintained that none of the legally recognised grounds for deregistration—such as failure to meet electoral performance benchmarks or violation of registration rules—have been proven against the ADC.
“The power to deregister political parties is not discretionary and cannot be subjected to political pressure. It is governed strictly by existing laws and constitutional provisions,” the commission stated.
Legal experts suggest that INEC’s stance significantly undermines the case and may ultimately lead to its dismissal, given the commission’s role as the regulatory body for political parties in Nigeria.
The development has also been interpreted in some quarters as a resistance to alleged attempts to exploit the judicial system for political purposes.
Reacting to the situation, Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, described the move to deregister the ADC as politically driven.
He said, “What we are witnessing is the collapse of a poorly planned political strategy aimed at silencing opposition voices.”
Shaibu further argued that INEC’s position reinforces public concerns about the case.
“The commission’s intervention exposes the legal weaknesses of the application. It confirms widespread suspicions that this issue is less about legality and more about intimidation,” he added.
He also cautioned against efforts to stifle political competition, noting that democracy thrives on a vibrant opposition.
“No democracy can endure if the ruling party seeks to eliminate opposition through indirect means. Nigeria’s democratic space must remain open and inclusive,” he said.
The case is still pending before the court, and as of the time of this report, there has been no official response from either INEC or the ADC.
