The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Friday adjourned proceedings in the suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), and others indefinitely.
Justice Peter Lifu had fixed Friday to deliver judgement in the suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against some political parties.
However, the hearing in the case was stalled after the Accord Party secured a stay of proceedings from the Court of Appeal on May 29.
At the commencement of the sitting, the court registrar informed all parties that judgement had been postponed and that a new date would be communicated in due course.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, Raphael Igbokwe, expressed disappointment over the Appeal Court’s decision to grant a stay of proceedings.
Mr Igbokwe, while speaking to journalists, said the forum had already challenged the appellate court’s decision by filing an appeal against the stay of proceedings at the Supreme Court.
“We are concerned that a matter which had reached the stage of judgement has now been stalled through a stay of proceedings.
“In practical terms, it amounts to an arrest of judgement.
“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 and advancing constitutional and electoral jurisprudence,” he said.
He maintained that the forum’s actions were aimed at deepening democratic governance and promoting the development of constitutional and electoral law in the country.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 and instituted by the forum, named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first defendant.
The plaintiff also joined several political parties, including the ADC, AA, Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party, among others, as defendants.
The plaintiff argued that the affected political parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral spread and performance.
It contended that political parties were required to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections to remain relevant under the law.
It, therefore, urged the court to order the deregistration of the parties, insisting that none of the defendants had effectively countered the argument.
(NAN)
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