Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has warned that any attempt to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition parties could trigger serious political instability and threaten Nigeria's democratic system.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 16, Frank reacted to reports of a court ruling that could pave the way for the deregistration of several political parties. He argued that such a move would weaken political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections and undermine the principles of multi-party democracy.
Frank Condemns Ruling as Attack on Constitutional Governance
Frank condemned the ruling by Justice Lifu, describing it as a dangerous attack on constitutional governance. He alleged that the judgment was delivered without proper notice to the parties involved or their legal representatives.
"The judgment came suddenly without prior notice to the parties involved. From the information available to us, it appeared that the judgment had been prepared elsewhere and simply delivered by the court," he alleged.
He further questioned the transparency of the judicial process, claiming that external influence may have played a role in the preparation and delivery of the ruling. "From the information we received, the judgment was written elsewhere and handed to the judge. The Office of the Attorney-General wrote the script and the judge merely played out that script," Frank alleged.
International Community Urged to Monitor Developments
Frank appealed to the international community, including United States President Donald Trump, to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and support efforts to protect democratic institutions. He warned that efforts to eliminate major opposition platforms could create tensions across the country.
"It must be noted that any attempt by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and those working with him to deregister political parties, particularly major opposition parties such as the ADC, will give rise to a crisis that may be difficult to contain," he said.
He added that many Nigerians view the ADC as a political platform with support across regional, ethnic and religious lines. Any effort to weaken such a platform, he argued, would face strong resistance.
Broader Implications for Democracy
Frank maintained that the issue extends beyond any single political party and concerns the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely participate in the democratic process. He accused the current administration of pursuing actions aimed at weakening opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and ADC.
"This issue goes beyond ADC or any individual politician. It concerns the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate, participate in politics and choose their leaders through competitive and credible elections," he stated.
Frank also expressed concern about public perceptions regarding the independence of the judiciary, arguing that recent developments have fuelled debate about whether some judicial decisions are being made free from political influence.
Warning of One-Party State
Warning of wider consequences, Frank said efforts to eliminate major opposition platforms could create tensions across the country. "Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people. Any desperate attempt to turn the country into a one-party state could trigger unrest and a crisis that nobody can control. The consequences for national unity and democratic governance would be severe," he warned.
Frank called on civil society organisations, religious leaders, professional groups and democratic institutions to remain vigilant. He also urged foreign governments and international partners to pay close attention to political developments in Nigeria ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Atiku Slams Court Ruling
Previously, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and several other opposition parties. In a statement issued on Monday, June 15, by his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the ruling as a threat to Nigeria's democratic system and political pluralism. He argued that the decision raised concerns about the rule of law and the future of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
