ADC Deregistration Suit Stalled as Judge’s Absence Delays Abuja Court Judgment

Fresh uncertainty has hit several Nigerian political parties after the Federal High Court in Abuja failed to deliver judgment in a high-profile suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties over alleged constitutional violations.

The case, which was scheduled for judgment on Friday, could not proceed due to the absence of Justice Peter Lifu, who was said to be outside Abuja. Lawyers, party representatives and litigants waited for more than two hours before court officials informed them that the judgment had been postponed indefinitely.

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 several political parties, including the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party.

Court officials said a fresh date for judgment would be communicated to all parties later.

The legal battle has drawn national attention because of its potential political impact ahead of the 2027 general elections. The plaintiffs are asking the court to order the deregistration of the affected parties, arguing that they failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and spread across the country.

During earlier proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, SAN, argued that the parties failed to secure the constitutional threshold required to retain registration status. He cited Supreme Court authorities and insisted that the affected parties had not successfully countered the claims against them.

However, lawyers representing the political parties strongly opposed the suit and urged the court to dismiss it. Senior advocates representing the ADC and Accord Party had also asked the court to suspend proceedings pending the outcome of appeals already filed before the Court of Appeal.

Justice Lifu rejected those requests during the previous sitting, ruling that granting a stay of proceedings at that stage would unfairly delay the matter, especially as political parties were already preparing for upcoming elections. He also dismissed applications filed by some politicians seeking to join the suit individually, including allies linked to the Accord Party and ADC.

The Attorney General of the Federation also participated in the matter through government counsel, who argued that the federal government had constitutional authority to support actions aimed at enforcing compliance with electoral laws.

The delay now leaves uncertainty hanging over the future of the affected political parties as political realignments and preparations for the 2027 elections continue across the country.