Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned hearing in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) seeking the deregistration of four political parties; the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance (AA) over alleged violations of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution.
The court fixed May 5 for hearing after granting the plaintiffs leave to amend their originating summons to properly join additional parties said to be in breach of constitutional requirements. Justice Lifu directed all respondents yet to file responses to do so before May 1, stressing that the matter is time‑sensitive given the approaching party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the substantive suit, the former lawmakers are urging the court to invoke Order 7 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules to deregister the affected parties. They seek declaratory orders compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce constitutional provisions and injunctions restraining INEC from recognising the parties’ activities until compliance is achieved.
The plaintiffs argue that permitting non‑compliant parties to contest in 2027 would overcrowd ballot papers, waste public resources, and undermine electoral integrity. The ADC has opposed the application, describing it as incompetent.
The case underscores ongoing debates about the regulation of political parties and the enforcement of constitutional standards in Nigeria’s electoral process.
... Court Adjourns Suit Seeking Deregistration of ADC, Accord, ZLP, and AA. ... Naijaonpoint.