2027: SDP’s Adebayo Opposes ADC and Other Parties’ Deregistration

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has publicly criticized a court decision that ordered the deregistration of several political parties, calling the ruling unconstitutional, undemocratic and a danger to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a post on his X account, Adebayo said there was no constitutional, legal or moral basis for the government, backed by judicial orders, to suppress alternative political platforms.

He added that the decision is especially concerning because it came just days after the country celebrated Democracy Day with national honours and renewed commitments to democratic values.

Although the SDP is not among the parties affected, Adebayo warned that remaining silent would amount to abandoning democratic principles.

The ADP leader urged Nigerians and all defenders of democracy to stand in solidarity with the parties that have been deregistered, 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 diverse social, cultural, religious, economic and ideological landscape requires a wide range of political platforms so that citizens can freely pursue their political aspirations.

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

The SDP chief also called for constitutional reforms to strip the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the authority to register or deregister political parties, limiting the commission’s role to conducting free, fair and credible elections.

He proposed a system in which political associations could field candidates freely, subject only to statutory deposits, with parties that fail to secure a minimum percentage of votes forfeiting those deposits.

Adebayo warned against policies that could heighten political tension, urging leaders to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting national development instead.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court, in a ruling on Monday, ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and other parties, preventing them from participating in the 2027 general election.