Court hears new motions in ADC deregistration case

On Monday in Abuja, the Federal High Court continued hearing a case seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, African Democratic Congress, and several other political parties, as lawyers representing the affected parties asked the court to suspend proceedings until the Court of Appeal decides on a related matter.

The case, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, and some political parties, was heard before Justice Peter Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja. After listening to arguments from all sides, the judge adjourned the matter until May 18, 2026, for ruling and possible final adoption of all pending processes.

Lawyers representing parties such as Accord, the ADC, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party argued that the trial court should pause the matter because some issues connected to the case are already before the Court of Appeal. According to them, continuing with the hearing while an appeal is pending could affect the outcome of issues already being considered at the higher court.

Counsel for the plaintiff opposed the request and argued that the appeal before the appellate court was only an interlocutory matter and did not stop the lower court from continuing with the case. He maintained that there was no court order directing Justice Lifu to suspend proceedings.

The court also heard applications from politicians seeking to join the suit as defendants. Among them were members of the ADC and governorship hopefuls who argued that they could be affected if the political parties involved are eventually deregistered. Their lawyers told the court that the applicants had a right to participate in the matter because the outcome could affect their political future and electoral ambitions.

However, the plaintiff’s legal team opposed the requests, insisting that the politicians were not necessary parties in the suit because no direct reliefs were being sought against them. The plaintiff also questioned the relevance of some applicants to the case and asked the court to dismiss their applications.

Speaking after the court session, lawyers involved in the matter said the judge’s decision to adjourn the case was connected to the tight timetable of INEC ahead of future electoral activities.

Meanwhile, leaders of the National Forum of Former Legislators said the suit was not aimed at attacking political parties but was intended to seek clarification on constitutional requirements guiding the continued existence of political parties in Nigeria.