Court Adjourns Suit Seeking Deregistration of ADC, Three Other Parties to May 5

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until May 5 the hearing in a suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party and Action Alliance over alleged breaches of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date after granting the National Forum of Former Legislators leave to amend its originating summons to formally include additional political parties accused of violating constitutional provisions.

The plaintiffs had argued that the parties affected by the suit must be properly joined before the matter proceeds.

In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu directed parties yet to respond to the amended summons to do so without delay, describing the case as time-sensitive and of significant public interest.

The court also ordered all parties to file relevant processes before May 1.

The judge noted that the approach of party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections makes an expedited hearing necessary.

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 in support of their request.

The application is opposed by the ADC, which argued that the suit is incompetent.

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

They are also asking the court to issue mandatory and perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from recognising the political activities of the affected parties pending compliance with the law.

According to the plaintiffs, allowing the parties to participate in the 2027 elections would overcrowd ballot papers, increase public spending and weaken electoral integrity.