A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned for hearing a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) seeking to compel the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance (AA) for alleged breach of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Court Grants Amendment
Justice Peter Lifu made the adjournment while granting leave to the NFFL to amend its Originating Summons to legally accommodate other political parties found to be in breach of the law alongside the ADC. The plaintiff sought the amendment, insisting that the erring political parties needed to be formally made parties to the suit.
In the short ruling, the trial judge ordered parties who have not responded to the amended originating summons to do so, noting that the suit is of importance and time is of the essence. The judge also stated that with primary elections approaching, there is a need to dispense with the matter as soon as possible.
Deadline Set
Justice Lifu ordered all parties to file all necessary processes before 1st May and adjourned to 5th May for hearing.
Plaintiff's Reaction
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NFFL, Raphael Igbokwe, said the court’s decision has cleared the way for hearing of the substantive suit. “The court recognised that time is of the essence, especially given the political calendar. We have also raised concerns about several dilatory applications and motions filed by some parties who appear unwilling to submit to the court’s jurisdiction,” he stated.
Igbokwe maintained that the suit is fundamentally about the interpretation of constitutional provisions. He questioned the delay by some defendants in responding to the suit. According to him, the action is not targeted at any specific political party but aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s legal and electoral framework.
He said: “In 2020, INEC deregistered 74 political parties under the same constitutional provision. We are asking why the Commission appears reluctant to take similar steps now. That is why we are asking the court to compel them to act in line with the law.”
