Tinubu Moving to Pre-Annul 2027 Election Through Opposition Deregistration, Adebayo Alleges

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has alleged that ongoing attempts to deregister opposition political parties amount to a move to “pre-annul” the 2027 general election.

Adebayo made the allegation during an interview with journalists in reaction to the recent Federal High Court judgment reportedly ordering the deregistration of some political parties.

According to him, Nigeria must not celebrate the anniversary of the June 12 struggle for democracy while simultaneously taking actions capable of undermining the country’s democratic foundations.

“We cannot as a country go from the annulment of June 12 and be walking towards the pre-annulment of the 2027 general election.

“They are already annulling the election before it takes place by annulling the candidature of strong and viable platforms and candidates,” he said.

The SDP chieftain described the judgment as an “unfortunate mistake,” arguing that it runs contrary to the Constitution, the Electoral Act, established judicial precedents and existing orders of superior courts.

Adebayo, who expressed solidarity with affected parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noted that several of the parties targeted for deregistration had won elective positions in previous elections.

He cited the ADC’s victories in House of Representatives elections in Kogi State and maintained that parties such as the Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the All Progressives Party (APP) had also secured electoral victories at various levels.

“There is no reason to deregister these parties when they have won elections and remain part of the democratic process,” he said.

Despite his criticism of the judgment, Adebayo expressed confidence in the judiciary, stressing that Nigeria’s judicial system provides avenues for redress through the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

He urged the affected parties to challenge the ruling through the appropriate legal channels, expressing optimism that corrective orders would be issued by higher courts.

The presidential candidate also alleged that opposition parties had faced various forms of political pressure aimed at weakening their activities ahead of future elections.

Addressing President Bola Tinubu, Adebayo urged the President not to be intimidated by opposition figures seeking elective office.

“I appeal to President Bola Tinubu: don’t be scared. I know it may be scary seeing many of us trying to take your job, but let us all compete properly. If you win, let it be on merit, and if I win, let it also be on merit,” he said.

He advised the President to focus more on addressing insecurity, poverty, economic challenges and Nigeria’s international standing rather than perceived political threats from opposition parties.

Adebayo further insisted that opposition parties would continue preparations for the 2027 elections regardless of any obstacles placed in their path.

He warned that weakening opposition parties could ultimately harm Nigeria’s democracy by eliminating critical voices needed to hold the government accountable.

“If they start picking political parties one after another, there will be no opposition left. And if there is no opposition, the President could drive himself into the gutter with nobody left to tell him,” he said