ADC and Accord Party Challenge Ex-Lawmakers' Motion to Amend Deregistration Suit
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party (AP) have strongly opposed a motion by a forum of former legislators seeking to amend an originating summons in a suit that aims to compel the deregistration of four opposition political parties. The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 17, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether to grant or refuse the requested amendment.
Legal Battle Over Party Deregistration Intensifies
The National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) has applied for a court order to amend its originating summons to legally include additional political parties allegedly in breach of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution. The suit specifically targets the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Alliance for purported violations of constitutional provisions.
In their motion, argued by counsel Yakubu Ruba (SAN), the former lawmakers insisted that the political parties in question must be formally made parties to the suit for any judgment to be enforceable against them. They urged the court to invoke Order 7, Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules to grant their request in the interest of justice.
ADC Raises Fundamental Objections
The ADC, through its counsel Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), vehemently opposed the application, describing it as incompetent, invalid, and liable to dismissal. Aruwa drew the court's attention to significant discrepancies in the naming of the plaintiff between the initial originating summons filed on December 8, 2025, and the second originating summons filed on January 12, 2026.
The senior lawyer argued that there is a crucial difference between "National Forum of former Legislators" and "Incorporated Trustees of National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL)," emphasizing that parties in a suit must maintain consistency in their claims. He contended that the application ran foul of Section 122 of the Evidence Act and urged Justice Peter Lifu to take judicial notice of court records indicating the initial summons was instituted by NFFL.
Aruwa further asserted that the persons who filed the first originating summons are entirely different from those who filed the second, making the amendment request invalid. He also noted that the plaintiff breached court rules by unilaterally joining other parties as defendants without a court order.
Accord Party Joins Opposition
Accord Party, represented by Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), similarly faulted the former lawmakers' bid to amend the originating summons, arguing it breached legal provisions. The party's objection centered on the differences in the plaintiff's name, describing the defect as so incurable that the amendment application must be dismissed.
Court Proceedings and Related Developments
Justice Lifu, after hearing arguments from both sides, fixed April 17 for ruling on the amendment request. In a related development, the court struck out a joinder application filed by former Senator Clever Ikisikpo, which was perceived as an attempt to stall proceedings. The decision followed the formal withdrawal of the application after plaintiff's counsel informed the court that Ikisikpo is not a registered member of NFFL.
The court also granted an application by Accord Party to file a further counter-affidavit in response to the claims and heard another application by NFFL seeking to amend its originating summons, though ruling on this matter was deferred.
Constitutional Interpretation at Stake
The suit seeks judicial interpretation of Section 225A of the Fourth Alteration Act (2017) of the Nigerian Constitution. The plaintiffs are urging the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to apply this provision uniformly in the deregistration of political parties.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Raphael Igbokwe, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NFFL, expressed satisfaction with the court's handling of the case. He noted that preliminary issues, including various motions and applications, were properly addressed to ensure all parties are correctly before the court.
The legal battle highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria's political landscape as opposition parties face potential deregistration over alleged constitutional breaches. The outcome of the April 17 ruling could have significant implications for the future of these political organizations and their participation in Nigeria's democratic processes.
