Paul Ibe, an aide to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and several other political parties.
Reacting to the ruling in a post shared on X on Monday, Ibe described the decision as an attempt to weaken opposition parties and pave the way for a one-party political system in Nigeria.
His comments followed Monday’s judgment by Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the deregistration of the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and other affected parties.
The ruling stemmed from a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and national spread.
However, Ibe maintained that the judgment should not have been delivered, arguing that an appeal concerning the matter is still pending before the Court of Appeal.
According to him, proceeding with the ruling despite the pending appeal raises concerns about due process and the integrity of the judicial process.
He further accused the ruling party of attempting to manipulate Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections by undermining opposition parties.
Ibe warned that weakening alternative political platforms would erode democratic values and limit the choices available to Nigerian voters, insisting that a vibrant opposition remains essential for a healthy democracy.
The affected political parties are yet to formally announce whether they will challenge the Federal High Court’s decision at the appellate court.
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