2027: SDP’s Adebayo kicks against ADC, other parties deregistration

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the 2023 election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has condemned a court ruling which ordered the deregistration of some political parties, describing the development as unconstitutional, undemocratic and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Adebayo, in a post on his X handle, said there was no constitutional, legal or moral justification for alternative political platforms to be suppressed through government action backed by judicial orders.

According to him, the development is particularly troubling as it comes barely days after the nation marked Democracy Day with celebrations, national honors and renewed commitments to democratic values.

He noted that although his party is not among those reportedly affected, remaining silent in the face of injustice would amount to abandoning democratic principles.

The ADP chieftain called on Nigerians and all defenders of democracy to stand in solidarity with the affected parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Action Alliance, AA, Action People’s Party, APP, Accord Party, AP, and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.

Adebayo argued that Nigeria’s vast social, cultural, religious, economic and ideological diversity require a broad range of political platforms through which citizens can freely pursue their political aspirations.

He pledged support to the affected parties in their quest for justice and restoration through lawful means, stressing that democratic participation should never be restricted.

The SDP chieftain also advocated constitutional reforms to remove the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register or deregister political parties, limiting the commission’s role to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

He proposed a system where political associations are free to field candidates, subject to statutory deposits, which parties failing to secure a minimum percentage of votes would forfeit.

Adebayo warned against policies capable of raising political tension in the country, urging leaders to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting national development instead.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court, in a ruling on Monday, had ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Accord Party, and others, and stop them from participating in the 2027 general election.