A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra State, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu, has reacted to the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party.

Justice Peter Lifu had, on June 15, 2026, ordered the INEC to deregister the ADC and four other parties: Accord, AA, APP and ZLP, due to failure to meet constitutional thresholds.

The decision was quickly halted as the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a stay of execution on June 16, 2026, condemning the lower court for ignoring a prior stay of proceedings issued on May 22.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday, in Awka, the state capital, Nwobu, a former deputy governorship candidate of the party in Anambra, clarified that the trial court has no ground under the law to order the deregistration of the ADC.

He said, “The Constitution specified grounds upon which a political party could be deregistered. One is if a party failed to secure a councillorship seat in any local government area or failed to win any seat at the state or national assembly.”

He noted that “During the 2023 general election, ADC secured two House of Representatives seats in Kogi and also four House of Assembly seats – two in Kogi and two in Oyo State.”

“So, to that extent, it is either that the learned judge is misinformed or failed to take cognisance of those facts or was too biased to have reached the conclusion that ADC should be deregistered.”

Nwobu said, “INEC, in their wisdom, when they were deregistering political parties, knew that ADC did not fall within the parties that should be deregistered because they know that the party has every constitutional backing to remain afloat.”

“Again, the trial judge ought not to have proceeded with the judgement, because, on 22nd of May, 2026, the Court of Appeal directed the High Court to stay execution on the matter pending the determination of the appeal before it.”

“What we observe in Nigeria is unprecedented rascality on the side of some judiciary members. It was brought to the knowledge of the trial judge that the matter before him had been stayed by the Appeal Court, yet he proceeded to give judgement.”

“This is aclearr indication of bias and an indication that he is dancing to the drumbeat of the APC administration, which is clearly scared of ADC and Atiku Abubakar.”

“ADC is expecting more of such harassment and road blocks because the ruling APC is very scared. Expect more obliques, more intimidations – but I will assure you, so long as there is law in this land, ADC will be on the ballot and will do extremely well in the 2027 general election.”

Reacting to Kenneth Okonkwo’s exit from Atiku Abubakar’s camp over his choice of Rotimi Amaechi as running mate, Chief Nwobu defended Atiku on his choice of the former River State governor, saying that any political contest requires a dynamic and unique approach.

He said, “If you’re out for a political contest, you must devise a unique approach that will give you a better victory. The man, Atiku, is experienced and understands the dynamics of politics of this country. You’ll agree with me that this is the last time, probably, that he will be contesting for president. He has the greatest stake in the 2027 election.”

“So, he is the person that knows the best combination that will give him victory. Again, it is the candidate that chooses his running mate; it is not the duty of any other person to decide who runs with the presidential candidate.”

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On why he is supporting a northerner, Atiku, as against a southern presidency in 2027, Nwobu declared that the issue of turn by turn does not put food on anyone’s table.

He pointed out that since President Tinubu, a Southerner, assumed office, Nigerians have been suffering in every sphere of life.

According to him, “Poverty, insecurity, hardship and hunger, as well as inflation plaguing Nigerians under the present government, do not affect only one part of the country. What Nigeria and Nigerians need is a detribalised personality, the man who can turn things around for the better, and you cannot take these virtues away from Atiku Abubakar.”

Nwobu, however, expressed confidence that Atiku will emerge victorious during the 2027 presidential election.

He maintained that in Anambra State, ADC will certainly get at least one senatorial seat, five House of Reps seats and many House of Assembly seats.

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