21st of May, 2026.

Deregistration Suit: Court Rejects Gov. Adeleke’s Joinder Bid

By Lizzy Chirkpi

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday 20th May 2026 rejected applications by some politicians and parties seeking to be joined in the suit seeking the deregistration of several political parties, including the Accord Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC) and others, over alleged constitutional breaches.

Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the joinder applications filed by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Oluwafemi Abayomi Adebambi ,the Accord Party Guber Candidate for Ekiti State and Hon. Sani Yakubu Noma of the ADC, holding that their political parties were already defendants in the suit, thus making the inclusion of individual members unnecessary.

The judge also refused applications seeking a stay of proceedings, ruling that the matter has proceeded to an advanced stage , and halting the case at this stage would create hardship to other litigants in the suit, particularly as political parties were expected to submit names of candidates ahead of forthcoming elections.

“It is my considered view not to grant the stay except otherwise decided by the upper court,” Justice Lifu said, adding that the issues raised by the applicants lacked merit and were accordingly dismissed.

The court subsequently reserved judgment in the substantive suit for June 5th 2026.

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.

During proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, SAN, argued that the affected political parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral spread and performance.

Ruba relied on Supreme Court authorities, contending that political parties were required to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections to remain relevant under the law. He urged the court to order the deregistration of the parties, insisting that none of the defendants had effectively countered the argument.

Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, A. Abdulrahman told the court that the AGF possessed constitutional powers to support actions aimed at ensuring compliance with the Constitution. He urged the court to determine whether the parties listed as third to seventh defendants had breached constitutional provisions.

Counsel representing the affected political parties, however, urged the court to dismiss the suit with substantial costs.

The court also heard arguments from counsel to the APP, Peter Abang, who sought dismissal of the suit on the grounds that issues raised had already been argued before the Court of Appeal.

Justice Lifu, in a brief ruling, stated that the court would consider the appellate court’s decision alongside all issues canvassed by parties before delivering judgment.

At the previous sitting, defence counsel led by Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, for the Accord Party, and Shuaib Enejo Aruwa, SAN, for the ADC, had urged the court to suspend proceedings pending the determination of interlocutory appeals before the Court of Appeal.

They argued that continuing with the hearing while appeals were pending could prejudice matters already before the appellate court.

However, the plaintiff opposed the request, arguing that neither the Court of Appeal nor the Supreme Court had restrained the Federal High Court from proceeding with the matter.

Counsel to INEC, Haliru Mohammed, informed the court that the commission had already filed a counter-affidavit to the substantive suit.

All parties adopted their briefs/written addresses signalling the end of hearing of the Suit.

Suit was adjourned to Friday 5th June for Judgment.

Reacting after the hearing, Hon Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe Chairman Board of Trustees maintained the Suit was not targeted at any political party but aimed at expounding our electoral jurisprudence and promoting credible political system.