The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit seeking ADC deregistration as parties argue over jurisdiction and pending appeal issues

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday heard fresh arguments in a suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and other political parties, with defendants urging the court to suspend proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Also read: Atiku Abubakar Camp Warns Southern Candidate Cannot Beat Tinubu in 2027

The matter, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission and several political parties.

Justice Peter Lifu later adjourned the ADC deregistration suit to May 18, 2026, after hearing applications seeking a stay of proceedings and joinder of additional parties.

During proceedings, several defence counsel argued that the trial court should halt further hearing until the Court of Appeal determines issues already before it.

Counsel for the sixth defendant, Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi, led arguments for a stay of proceedings, insisting that continuing the case would amount to pre-empting the appellate court’s decision.

Other defence lawyers representing the African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party aligned with the request for suspension of proceedings.

They maintained that legal precedent requires lower courts to await appellate outcomes where related issues are pending, in order to avoid conflicting decisions.

Counsel for the Action Peoples Party also informed the court that an affidavit had already been filed at the Court of Appeal on May 7, 2026, and served on relevant parties.

However, the plaintiff’s counsel, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, SAN, opposed the application, arguing that the appeal was interlocutory and did not remove the trial court’s jurisdiction to continue hearing the ADC deregistration suit.

Ruba insisted there was no binding order from a higher court restraining Justice Lifu from proceeding with the case.

Counsel for INEC, Haliru Mohammed, aligned with legal principles but confirmed that the electoral body had already filed a counter-affidavit to the substantive claims.

The Attorney General’s representative, O.A. Abdulraheem, did not take a position on the dispute.

The court also considered multiple applications for joinder by individuals seeking to be joined as defendants, including political aspirants who argued they would be directly affected by any deregistration outcome.

One applicant, represented by counsel M.E. Sherriff, said the outcome of the ADC deregistration suit could affect his political participation as a House of Representatives member.

Another applicant seeking joinder argued that he intended to contest the Ogun State governorship election on the platform of the ADC and would be impacted if the party was deregistered.

The plaintiff opposed all joinder applications, insisting that the applicants were not necessary parties to the case.

The court adjourned the matter for ruling and possible adoption of processes for final determination.

Speaking after proceedings, counsel for the plaintiff said the adjournment was necessary due to the congested INEC timetable, which requires timely resolution of the case.

The Chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of the NFFL, Raphael Igbokwe, said the suit seeks constitutional clarification on the continued existence of political parties under Section 225(a) of the Constitution.

Also read: South Korea Approves Cash Aid for 70% of Citizens Amid Crisis

He stressed that the action is not targeted at any specific political party but seeks enforcement of legal thresholds governing party registration and existence.