By Joe Udo
The National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) is seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NFFL, which has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, says allowing the party and three others to participate in the elections would overcrowd ballot papers, waste public resources, and undermine electoral integrity.
The hearing of the suit was adjourned by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court to May 5, 2026.
Other parties the suit sought to be deregistered include Accord Party (AP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance (AA), over an alleged breach of Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Lifu granted the NFFL leave to amend its originating summons to formally include other political parties allegedly found to be in breach of constitutional provisions alongside the ADC.
The plaintiffs had sought the amendment, arguing that the affected political parties must be properly joined in the suit.
In a short ruling, Justice Lifu directed parties that had yet to respond to the amended originating summons to do so promptly, noting that the matter is time-sensitive and of significant public importance.
The judge observed that with party primaries approaching ahead of the 2027 general elections, there was a need for the case to be determined expeditiously.
He subsequently ordered all parties to file the necessary processes before May 1 and adjourned the matter until May 5 for hearing.
In the substantive suit, the former lawmakers are asking 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.
However, the application was opposed by the ADC, which argued that it (the application) was incompetent.
The plaintiffs are seeking declaratory orders compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce constitutional requirements for political parties.
They are also asking for mandatory and perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from recognising or giving effect to the political activities of the affected parties pending full compliance with the law.
