Deregistration of ADC and Other Parties: Court Fixes June 5 for Judgment in Abuja Case.
Federal High Court dismisses stay applications as parties brace for landmark ruling on political party legality.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Deregistration of ADC and other parties case moved closer to a decisive conclusion on Wednesday as the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed June 5, 2026, for judgment in a high-stakes suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) https://www.adc.org.ng, Accord Party, and several other political parties over alleged constitutional breaches.
The development comes after the court dismissed applications for stay of proceedings and joinder filed by various political actors and parties, clearing the path for final judgment in one of the most closely watched electoral-related cases in Nigeria’s current political cycle.
In this report, The iNews Times examines the key developments, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader implications of the unfolding legal battle.
Background of the Story
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 was instituted 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, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
At the heart of the matter is a request for the Deregistration of ADC and other parties, based on allegations that the affected political parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and national spread.
The case has steadily grown into a major constitutional test of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, drawing attention from political stakeholders, legal practitioners, and election observers across the country.
Key Developments
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that granting a stay of proceedings at this stage would amount to undue delay, especially as political parties are already expected to submit candidate lists ahead of upcoming elections.
The judge noted that higher courts, including the Supreme Court, have consistently cautioned lower courts against unnecessary interruptions to ongoing trials through stay orders.
He consequently dismissed applications for stay of proceedings, including those filed by individuals seeking joinder in the matter.
The court also rejected joinder applications involving Ademola Adeleke, Oluwafemi Abayomi Arabambi of the Accord Party, and Sani Yakubu Noma of the ADC, holding that the political parties concerned were already properly represented as defendants.
Justice Lifu further ruled that individual members had no need to be separately joined where their political parties were already parties to the suit.
With these rulings, the court cleared the way for final adoption of processes ahead of judgment scheduled for June 5.
Reactions from Stakeholders
During final addresses, counsel to the plaintiff, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba (SAN), argued that the political parties under scrutiny failed to meet constitutional standards required for continued political participation.
He maintained that Supreme Court authorities support the position that political parties must demonstrate minimum electoral performance and broad national acceptance to retain legal standing.
Ruba urged the court to grant the request for the Deregistration of ADC and other parties, insisting that the defendants had not successfully disproved the allegations.
Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abdullahi Abdulrahman told the court that the AGF has constitutional authority to support actions aimed at ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s Constitution.
Counsel for the third to seventh defendants, including ADC and Accord Party, urged the court to dismiss the suit, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and urging substantial cost against the plaintiff.
INEC’s counsel, Haliru Mohammed, also confirmed that the electoral commission had filed a counter-affidavit in response to the substantive suit.
Implications
The Deregistration of ADC and other parties case carries far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s electoral system and the structure of political competition.
Legal analysts say the outcome could redefine the threshold for political party survival in Nigeria, particularly regarding electoral performance requirements and national spread expectations.
If the court rules in favour of deregistration, it could significantly reduce the number of active political parties and reshape Nigeria’s multiparty landscape.
However, a dismissal of the suit could reinforce existing protections for party registration and strengthen arguments in favour of broad political inclusivity.
What Happens Next
Attention now shifts to June 5, when Justice Peter Lifu is expected to deliver judgment after the adoption of final written addresses.
The ruling is likely to determine the future participation of the affected parties in Nigeria’s electoral process and may trigger further appeals depending on the outcome.
Political stakeholders are also expected to intensify consultations as the country awaits a decision that could reshape party politics.
Conclusion
The Deregistration of ADC and other parties case stands as a defining legal moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. As judgment day approaches, the outcome is expected to carry significant consequences for political party regulation, electoral competition, and constitutional interpretation.
The iNews Times will continue to monitor developments as the Abuja legal battle reaches its decisive stage.
