Prince Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election, has strongly condemned a recent court ruling that ordered the deregistration of several political parties, calling the decision unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundation. The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court on Monday, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), effectively barring them from participating in the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo expressed deep concern over the timing of the ruling, noting that it came just days after Nigeria celebrated Democracy Day with national honors and renewed commitments to democratic values. He emphasized that there was no constitutional, legal, or moral basis for the government to suppress alternative political platforms through judicial orders backed by state authority. “Remaining silent in the face of injustice is equivalent to abandoning democratic principles,” he stated in a post on his X handle.
Although the SDP was not among the parties affected by the court’s decision, Adebayo stressed the importance of standing in solidarity with those impacted. He urged Nigerians and all defenders of democracy to support the affected parties in their pursuit of justice and restoration through lawful means. He argued that Nigeria’s rich social, cultural, religious, economic, and ideological diversity demands a wide array of political platforms where citizens can freely express and pursue their political aspirations.
Adebayo further proposed structural reforms to Nigeria’s electoral framework, advocating for the removal of INEC’s power to register or deregister political parties. He suggested that INEC’s role should be limited to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, while political associations should be allowed to field candidates subject to statutory deposits. Under his proposed system, parties failing to secure a minimum percentage of votes in elections would forfeit their deposits, ensuring accountability without arbitrary deregistration.
He warned against policies that could inflame political tensions in the country, urging leaders to focus instead on strengthening democratic institutions and advancing national development. Adebayo’s comments reflect growing concerns over the erosion of political pluralism and the potential for judicial overreach in Nigeria’s democratic governance. As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, his call for constitutional reform and democratic resilience underscores the need for a more inclusive and transparent political environment.
Leave a Comment