The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties. The adjournment follows fresh applications from parties requesting a stay of proceedings and joinder in the matter.
Case Details and Adjournment
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several political parties. Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter until May 18, 2026, for ruling and further adoption of processes.
Parties Seek Suspension of Proceedings
At Monday's sitting, several defendants urged the court to halt proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal before the Court of Appeal. Counsel for Accord, Musibau Adetunbi, argued that the trial court should not continue when related issues were pending before a higher court. He maintained that established judicial principles require lower courts to exercise restraint where appellate processes are ongoing.
Counsel representing the ADC, S.E. Aruwa, alongside lawyers for Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party, aligned with the request for a stay of proceedings. They argued that continuing could prejudice matters before the appellate court and undermine judicial hierarchy. One lawyer informed the court that an affidavit of facts had been filed at the Court of Appeal on May 7, 2026, and served on all relevant parties.
Plaintiff Opposes Stay Application
However, counsel for the plaintiff, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, opposed the applications. He argued that the appeal before the appellate court was interlocutory and did not remove the trial court's jurisdiction. Ruba insisted there was no valid order from either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court directing suspension of proceedings. He relied on a Supreme Court authority from 1989 to support his position that the trial court could proceed.
INEC and AGF Take Neutral Stance
Counsel for INEC, Haliru Mohammed, stated the commission would abide by the court's decision while noting it had filed a counter-affidavit. Similarly, counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), O.A. Abdulraheem, did not take a position on the applications.
Court Hears Multiple Joinder Applications
The court also considered several joinder applications. One applicant, through counsel M.E. Sherriff, sought to join as a defendant on behalf of Hon. Sani Yakubu Noma, a serving House of Representatives member, arguing he would be directly affected if the ADC is deregistered. Another applicant, Abayomi Oluwafemi, said he intended to contest the Ogun State governorship election on the ADC platform and would be impacted by any decision affecting the party's existence.
Counsel for the plaintiff opposed all joinder requests, arguing the applicants were not necessary parties as no reliefs were directly sought against them. The plaintiff further argued that one applicant admitted membership of another political party, making his application irrelevant. It urged the court to dismiss all applications and impose a ₦50 million cost against the applicants.
Court Fixes Date for Ruling
After listening to all submissions, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to May 18, 2026, for ruling on the applications and possible adoption of processes for final determination. Speaking after proceedings, Ruba said the court's decision was influenced by the need to align with INEC's timetable.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Forum of Former Legislators, Raphael Igbokwe, clarified that the suit was not targeted at any political party but aimed at determining compliance with constitutional provisions governing political party existence in Nigeria.
Jonathan Reportedly in Talks with ADC
Earlier reports indicated a chieftain of the ADC said the party had been holding discreet talks with former President Goodluck Jonathan over a possible presidential run in the 2027 elections. A principal member disclosed that the party had been holding talks with Jonathan to join its platform. When asked if the former president would be given an automatic presidential ticket, the chieftain said the party has not decided on that.
