The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regulations on party primaries and membership timelines, describing the ruling as a major victory for constitutional democracy and political freedom.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, May 21, 2026 and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the court decision vindicated ADC’s earlier objections to what it termed restrictive provisions in the electoral body’s guidelines.
The party recalled that it had strongly challenged the stringent timelines imposed on political parties for membership registration and the conduct of primaries, insisting at the time that some of the provisions contradicted constitutional guarantees.
“The decision of the Court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the statement said.
ADC particularly commended the aspect of the ruling which it said removed obstacles placed on politicians seeking alternative political platforms ahead of elections, arguing that the judgment reinforces the constitutional right to freedom of association.
In a direct swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party alleged that the disputed regulations were deliberately crafted to stop aggrieved politicians from abandoning the governing party.
“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC. Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party,” Abdullahi declared.
The statement is expected to heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections, especially as internal disputes and complaints over party primaries continue to rock the APC in several states.
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