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The Co-Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) and presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Hashim and the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Adewole Adebayo, have described the Federal High Court order directing deregistration of five political parties as a systematic effort to weaken opposition politics and undermine democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the court ruling in a statement issued by his campaign office yesterday, Hashim said the development validates concerns he had repeatedly raised since 2024 regarding what he alleged was a coordinated strategy to make President Bola Tinubu the only viable presidential contender in 2027.
According to him, recent developments in the nation’s political landscape indicate a deliberate and multi-layered effort aimed at weakening opposition parties and restricting political competition.
Hashim recalled that he had consistently warned that opposition governors were being pressured to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that those who resisted faced political intimidation and blackmail.
“Those who refused are hunted and blackmailed.”
He argued that after securing the defection of several opposition governors, attention shifted to weakening the structures of opposition political parties at the national level.
The presidential candidate of Accord also alleged that individuals sympathetic to the ruling party had been deployed to destabilize major opposition platforms through internal disputes and leadership crises.
According to him, the prolonged factional conflicts witnessed within some opposition parties over the past two years were not accidental but part of a broader strategy to weaken alternative political platforms before the next general election.
Hashim further criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of operating an election timetable that he described as inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
He claimed that despite a court judgment challenging aspects of the timetable, INEC had failed to make the necessary adjustments, thereby creating obstacles for opposition parties.
Referring specifically to the Federal High Court’s order directing the deregistration of ADC, Accord Party and three other parties, Hashim described the ruling as the most significant step yet in what he alleged was a wider plan to shrink the democratic space.
“This is not only to destabilise the parties, but to ensure that the parties are not able to survive the illegal INEC processes to ensure only Tinubu can be a viable candidate,” he said.
“With the latest development from the Federal High Court ordering deregistration of opposition political parties, it is now clear beyond any reasonable doubt that President Tinubu is determined to kill Nigeria’s democracy,” he stated.
Gbenga Hashim stated that the founding fathers of our Republic chose Multi-Party democracy as a fundamental pillar of our democracy at independence and the 1999 constitution guarantees it. “We must therefore not allow one man acting through surrogates and agents to demolish it.”
Hashim further noted that 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.”
According to him, ”the judgment is the height of judicial rascality. The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko, Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had in Appeal 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.
The hearing for the appeal was scheduled for the 27th of October 2026. That order was dated 22nd of May 2026.
“Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation by the APC Government to either have its way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was earned through huge sacrifice, sweat, blood and lives of our heroes and martyrs.”
The MDR Co-Chairman, therefore, called on political parties, civil society organisations, pro-democracy groups and citizens across the country to unite in defence of democratic institutions and electoral integrity.
To his supporters, he urged “Stand firm with the Movement for Democratic Renewal. Stand firm with the Party, Accord. Stand in Defence of Democracy.”
On his part, Dr. Adebayo, in a statement, said there was no constitutional or legal basis for restricting the activities of political parties through administrative or judicial actions.
He said the development was concerning, coming shortly after the country marked Democracy Day with renewed commitments to democratic values and inclusion.
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According to him, although the SDP is not among the parties reportedly affected, it is important to speak up on issues that could affect democratic participation.
Adebayo urged Nigerians and stakeholders to support the affected parties in seeking legal redress.
He said Nigeria’s social, cultural, religious, economic and ideological diversity required a broad range of political platforms through which citizens could freely pursue their political aspirations.
Adebayo also advocated constitutional reforms to remove the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register or deregister political parties, saying the commission should focus on conducting free, fair and credible elections.
He proposed a system that would allow political associations to field candidates, subject to statutory deposits that could be forfeited if parties failed to secure a prescribed minimum percentage of votes.
The SDP chieftain urged political leaders to strengthen democratic institutions and avoid actions capable of increasing political tension in the country.
He added that he was prepared to support the affected parties in pursuing legal remedies through constitutional means.
Adebayo maintained that all eligible political parties should be allowed to participate in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, had also described the court judgment as a threat to public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic and judicial institutions.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Obi warned against what he termed the growing politicisation of institutions that should remain independent and protected from political influence.
Reacting to the court ruling deregistering some political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obi said nations thrive when institutions are stronger than individuals and politics.
He argued that the Federal High Court judgment ordering deregistration of the ADC and other political parties would further diminish public trust in the country’s legal system and call for its reversal.
“We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals,” he said.
He recalled expressing concerns during the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.
He noted that the greatest damage such actions caused was often the perception they created about the sanctity and independence of national institutions.
According to him, strong economies are built on trust; while investors can manage security, policy and market risks, they are often discouraged by uncertainty in the rule of law and perceptions of judicial interference.
“Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure.
“Today, many Nigerians have lost confidence in systems that should protect them. Businesses increasingly request that their contracts be governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those institutions than in our own. That should concern every patriot.
“We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals. The Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man’s trust in our legal systems; it should be reversed.
“I pledge that we will restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary. The common man must have a voice. The business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation. Justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all.
He also called on judges, senior advocates, lawyers and other legal professionals to defend the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions in the country.
“… this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country! A new Nigeria is possible.”
