- Federal High Court adjourns ADC deregistration suit until May 18, 2026 for ruling and process adoption
- Several political parties seek to stay proceedings pending appeal outcomes to avoid judicial prejudice
- ADC reportedly in discussions with former President Jonathan regarding potential 2027 presidential candidacy
FCT, Abuja – The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and other political parties after hearing fresh applications from parties asking for a stay of proceedings and joinder in the matter.
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 and several political parties.
Source: Facebook
Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter till 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 already before the Court of Appeal.
Counsel for Accord, Musibau Adetunbi, argued that the trial court should not continue with the case when related issues were already pending before a higher court, Vanguard reported.
He maintained that established judicial principles require lower courts to exercise restraint where appellate processes are ongoing.
Defence lawyers back stay of proceedings
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 with the case could prejudice matters already before the appellate court and undermine judicial hierarchy, Punch reported.
One of the lawyers also 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 application for stay
However, counsel for the plaintiff, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, opposed the applications, arguing that the appeal before the appellate court was interlocutory and did not remove the trial court’s jurisdiction.
Ruba insisted that there was no valid order from either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court directing the suspension of proceedings.
He relied on a Supreme Court authority from 1989 to support his position that the trial court could proceed with the matter.
INEC, AGF take neutral stance
Counsel for INEC, Haliru Mohammed, said the commission would abide by the court’s decision while noting that it had already filed a counter-affidavit in response to the substantive suit.
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 applications from individuals seeking to be joined as parties in the suit.
One applicant, through counsel M.E. Sherriff, sought to be joined as a defendant on behalf of a serving House of Representatives member, Hon. Sani Yakubu Noma, arguing that 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 platform of the ADC and would be impacted by any decision affecting the party’s existence.
Opposition to joinder applications
Counsel for the plaintiff opposed all joinder requests, arguing that the applicants were not necessary parties to the case as no reliefs were directly sought against them.
The plaintiff further argued that one of the applicants had admitted membership of another political party, making his application irrelevant to the suit.
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 the proceedings, Ruba said the court’s decision to adjourn was influenced by the need to align with the Independent National Electoral Commission’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 discussing with ADC
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that 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 of the ADC disclosed that the party had been holding talks with Jonathan to join its platform. Asked if the former president would be given an automatic presidential ticket, the ADC chieftain said the party has not decided on that.
Source: Legit.ng