By David Okoh
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday struck out an application for joinder filed by Senator Clever Ikisikpo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), seeking to be joined in the ongoing suit on the deregistration of political parties.
The suit, instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), challenges the continued registration of certain political parties, including the ADC and Accord Party, alleging that they have contravened constitutional requirements. The defendants in the matter include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The court struck out the joinder application following its formal withdrawal after counsel to the plaintiff drew attention to the fact that Ikisikpo is not a registered member of the NFFL, thereby lacking the requisite interest and standing in the matter.
During the proceedings, counsel to the ADC, Sani E. Aruwa (SAN), also challenged the Motion on Notice filed by the plaintiff seeking leave to amend its processes to join additional parties to the suit. He argued that some parties had been improperly included without due process.
“I cannot come before this court and suddenly change my name without leave. That is exactly what has been done here,” he said. “Parties have been joined unilaterally, outside the rules of this Honourable Court. The application is wholly unconstitutional and incompetent and ought to be dismissed.”
Aruwa further maintained that the withdrawal of certain reliefs in the application did not cure the alleged irregularities.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, intervened at several points to maintain order and ensure strict compliance with court procedure, particularly as counsel to the applicant repeatedly interrupted proceedings despite the joinder application not being ripe for hearing. At one point, the judge questioned counsel’s standing, stating, “I don’t know you, I’ve not seen you,” and cautioned against inconsistent positions, adding, “You’re here dancing this way and the other way.”
Following the court’s intervention, counsel to the party seeking joinder withdrew the application pending the appropriate time.
The court also granted an application by the Accord Party to file a further counter-affidavit. In addition, it heard an application by the plaintiff, led by Yakubu Ruba (SAN), seeking to amend its originating summons, but deferred ruling on the application to April 17, 2026.
Justice Lifu noted that two key applications before the court could determine the direction of the case, warning that “if they are disallowed, that’s the end.”
The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 17, 2026, for rulings on pending applications and further proceedings.
Speaking to journalists after the court adjourned, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the NFFL, Hon. Raphael Igbokwe, expressed satisfaction with the proceedings.
“There are preliminary issues to declare motions and applications for the court, so that every party will be deemed to have filed their processes. A significant issue that also took place is that somebody was claiming to be our member; our record of members shows otherwise, and he brought in an application which we felt was only aimed at delaying the process.
“For us, the matter has been adjourned to April for rulings and for continuation of this matter. Like we said, our aim of instituting this suit is to enrich and expand the jurisprudence around electoral law.
“When we come to court, we seek the interpretation of certain sections of the law, especially Section 225A of the Constitution.”
Also speaking, a member of the NFFL, Hon. Uzor Azubike, expressed optimism over the pace of proceedings and the court’s disposition towards expediting the matter.
“We appreciate the proceedings today to the extent that the court appreciates the necessity to accelerate the hearing of this matter since time is of the essence. The court has, on its own, ordered an accelerated hearing to ensure that by the time the issues are sorted out, those who may need to look for an alternative platform will still have time within the electoral timetable to do so.
“I am very much satisfied that the court itself has reminded all parties that time is of the essence and that the matter must be disposed of within the timeframe that INEC has set out for parties to field candidates.”
Tuesday’s hearing underscored the intense procedural contest surrounding the case, with parties focusing largely on technicalities and jurisdictional issues rather than the substantive constitutional questions at its core.
The suit seeks a judicial interpretation of Section 225A of the Fourth Alteration Act No. 9 (2017) of the Nigerian Constitution, with the plaintiffs urging the court to compel INEC to apply the law in line with the intent of the Constitution.
