Court Adjourns Suit Seeking Deregistration Of ADC, Others To May 5

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, has adjourned hearing in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance (AA) over an alleged breach of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Lifu fixed May 5 for a hearing after granting the NFFL leave to amend its originating summons to formally include other political parties allegedly found to be in breach of constitutional provisions alongside the ADC. The plaintiffs had sought the amendment, arguing that the affected political parties must be properly joined in the suit.

In a short ruling, Justice Lifu directed parties that had yet to respond to the amended originating summons to do so promptly, noting that the matter is time-sensitive and of significant public importance.

The judge observed that with party primaries approaching ahead of the 2027 general elections, there was a need for the case to be determined expeditiously.

He subsequently ordered all parties to file the necessary processes before May 1 and adjourned the matter until May 5 for hearing.

In the substantive suit, the former lawmakers are asking the court to invoke Order 7 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules to grant their request in the interest of justice. However, the application was opposed by the ADC, which argued that it (the application) was incompetent.

The plaintiffs are seeking declaratory orders compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce constitutional requirements for political parties.

They are also asking for mandatory and perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from recognising or giving effect to the political activities of the affected parties pending full compliance with the law.

According to the plaintiffs, allowing the parties to participate in the 2027 general elections would overcrowd ballot papers, waste public resources, and undermine electoral integrity.