116
By Lizzy Chirkpi
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, today Monday 27th April 2026, has granted an application for Joinder of Accord Party, Zenith Labour party and APP in the Deregisteration Suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
This clears the stage for full hearing of the Suit seeking to deregister ADC, Accord, ZLP, APP & AA.
The court held that the amendment was necessary to formally bring all affected parties before it since they are necessary and proper parties for the just determination of the suit.
In a brief ruling, the trial judge directed parties who are yet to respond to the amended processes to do so promptly, stressing that the case is time-sensitive. He noted that with “party primaries approaching, there is an urgent need to resolve the matter without delay.”
Justice Lifu subsequently ordered all parties to file the necessary processes on or before May 1.
Meanwhile, the lead Consel to the plaintiff, NFFL, Gbenga Peter Makanjuola Esq., expressed appreciation to the Court for a well considered ruling which he said serves the interest of justice and fairness to all parties.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NFFL, Raphael Igbokwe, said the court’s decision has now cleared the way for hearing of the substantive suit.
“The court recognised that time is of the essence, especially given the political calendar. We have also raised concerns about several dilatory applications and motions filed by some parties who appear unwilling to submit to the court’s jurisdiction,” he stated.
Igbokwe maintained that the suit is fundamentally about the interpretation of constitutional provisions.
“At the heart of this case is the need for a clear interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution, particularly regarding whether some political parties are still eligible to exist under the law,” he said.
He questioned the delay by some defendants in responding to the suit.
“If someone challenges your qualification, all you need to do is present proof if you meet the requirements. The hesitation we are observing from parties especially Accord Party raises concerns, especially as some parties seem to have an intent of stalling proceedings,” he added.
According to him, the action is not targeted at any specific political party but aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s legal and electoral ramework.
“This is not about singling out any party. It is about deepening our electoral jurisprudence and ensuring that all institutions and actors operate within the confines of the law,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the impact on the ADC, Igbokwe noted that the party is only one of several involved in the suit.
“The ADC is not the only party before the court. If it has internal issues, that is their business and separate from our case. Our concern is that as of December 2025, when we filed this suit, it is our contention that several parties had not met the constitutional requirements to continue to exist as a political party,” he explained.
He also questioned INEC’s stance, recalling its previous actions.
“In 2020, INEC deregistered 74 political parties under the same constitutional provision. We are asking why the Commission appears reluctant to take similar steps now. That is why we are asking the court to compel them to act in line with the law,” he said.
The presiding judge had earlier ordered an accelerated hearing in view of INEC’s timetable for party primaries. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, seeks to compel INEC to enforce Section 225A of the Constitution on political parties alleged to have failed to meet required Constitutional thresholds.
The case was last heard on the 17th April was adjorned to April 27, 2026.