‎The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the judiciary not to allow itself to be used to undermine Nigeria’s democracy, following a Court of Appeal judgement affirming an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the party’s state congresses.

‎Speaking during a televised interview, the ADC’s Deputy National Financial Secretary, Oladimeji Fabiyi, alleged that there were coordinated attempts to weaken opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‎Fabiyi accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of pursuing a one-party state agenda, and urged the judiciary to remain impartial and resist political pressure in the discharge of its constitutional duties.

‎”The judiciary should not help Tinubu destroy our democracy. We will not allow it,” he said.

‎According to Fabiyi, the Appeal Court ruling will not stop the party’s activities, noting that the ADC’s legal team is already handling the matter in court and that the party remains active nationwide.

‎”Our legal team is handling whatever is in court. It does not stop us. We are still carrying on with our activities across the country,” he stated.

‎The ADC chieftain claimed the party was not alone in facing political and legal hurdles, alleging that similar pressure was being mounted on other opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Labour Party, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

‎Fabiyi called on Nigerians to be vigilant about what he described as growing attempts to shrink democratic space, insisting that the ADC remains focused on preparations for the 2027 elections despite the legal disputes.

‎He maintained that the Appeal Court decision does not invalidate the party’s direct primaries or the emergence of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

‎The Court of Appeal had recently upheld an earlier order restraining INEC from recognising the ADC’s state congresses.

‎The party, however, said it remains undeterred and will continue its mobilisation across the country.