Court Delays Decision As African Democratic Congress Deregistration Suit Moves To May 18

Presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, adjourned the matter until May 18, 2026, after listening to arguments on applications for stay of proceedings and joinder of interested parties.

The suit, 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 multiple political parties.

During Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the sixth defendant, Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), urged the court to halt further hearing, arguing that a related matter was already pending before the Court of Appeal.

He maintained that once an appeal has been filed, a lower court should not proceed with issues already being considered by a higher court.

Counsel representing the ADC, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party supported the request for a stay of proceedings, insisting that continuing the case could prejudice matters before the appellate court.

They argued that the trial court should await the outcome of the appeal before taking further steps.

The counsel for the Action Peoples Party also informed the court that an affidavit of facts had been filed at the Court of Appeal on May 7, 2026, and served on relevant parties without any counter-affidavit filed in response.

He further raised a jurisdictional objection, questioning the competence of the suit before the court.

On his part, ADC counsel argued that the Court of Appeal could resolve the matter within a short time and that proceedings should be paused.

However, counsel for the plaintiff, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, opposed the applications, stating that the appeal was interlocutory and did not automatically halt proceedings at the trial court.

He argued that there was no order from any superior court directing a stay of proceedings and urged the court to continue the hearing.

Counsel for INEC, Haliru Mohammed, said the commission would abide by the court’s decision, noting that it had already filed a counter-affidavit to the substantive suit, while the Attorney-General’s representative did not take a position.

The court also considered several applications seeking joinder by individuals who said they would be affected by any decision to deregister political parties.

Some applicants, including a serving member of the House of Representatives, argued that their political ambitions and affiliations would be affected if the ADC is deregistered.

Another applicant said he intended to contest future elections on the ADC platform and would be directly impacted by the outcome of the case.

The plaintiff opposed all joinder applications, arguing that the applicants were not necessary parties and that no relief had been sought against them.

Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to May 18, 2026, for ruling on the applications and further proceedings toward final determination.