The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned proceedings in a suit seeking the deregistration of several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and Action Alliance (AA).
Justice Peter Lifu had scheduled Friday for judgment in the case filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators. However, proceedings were stalled after the Accord Party secured a stay of proceedings from the Court of Appeal on May 29.
At the start of the sitting, the court registrar informed all parties that judgment had been postponed, with a new date to be communicated in due course.
Reacting to the development, the forum’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Raphael Igbokwe, expressed disappointment. He said the forum had challenged the appellate court’s decision by filing an appeal against the stay at the Supreme Court.
“We are concerned that a matter which had reached the stage of judgment has now been stalled through a stay of proceedings. In practical terms, it amounts to an arrest of judgment,” Mr Igbokwe told journalists.
“Nevertheless, we remain committed to pursuing all lawful avenues to ensure that the issues raised in this case are resolved in the interest of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first defendant. Other defendants include the ADC, AA, Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
The plaintiffs argue that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements on electoral spread and performance, including securing at least 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections. They urge the court to order deregistration, insisting none of the defendants has effectively countered the argument.