By David Okoh
[8:53 PM, 5/11/2026] Lizzy tan: The National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) on Monday resisted attempts by the Action Peoples Party (APP) and other political parties to halt proceedings in a suit seeking their de-registration over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued existence.
At the resumed hearing before the Federal High Court in Abuja, counsel to the APP, Peter Abang, urged the court to stay proceedings, arguing that the party had already approached the Court of Appeal to challenge an earlier ruling permitting amendments to the plaintiffs’ processes.
The suit, instituted by the NFFL, seeks the de-registration of five political parties — the African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party and Action Peoples Party — on grounds that they allegedly failed to secure the constitutional threshold required to retain registration.
The NFFL contends that under Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution, the affected parties no longer qualify to remain registered political parties, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no discretionary powers to retain them once they fail to meet the prescribed conditions.
Arguing the application for stay, Abang maintained that the records of proceedings had already been transmitted to the Court of Appeal, adding that the trial court should suspend further action to avoid rendering any eventual decision nugatory.
Counsel to the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), aligned himself with the request, urging the court to await the outcome of the appellate proceedings. Other lawyers representing parties in the matter also supported the application.
However, counsel to the NFFL, Yakubu Ruba (SAN), strongly opposed the move, insisting that the case should proceed without delay, particularly in view of the timelines contained in the electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Ruba argued that further delay could frustrate the substantive issues raised in the suit, which borders on constitutional compliance by political parties seeking to participate in future elections.
Counsel to INEC, Raiz Mohammed, and counsel representing the Attorney General of the Federation, A.O. Abdulraheem, told the court they were neutral on the application.
Justice Peter Lifu also granted separate applications by interested parties seeking to join the suit, including one filed on behalf of Sani Yakubu-Noma for the ADC and another by Oluwafemi Abayomi Adebambi for the Accord Party.
The judge subsequently fixed May 18 for ruling on all pending applications and for definite hearing of the substantive suit.
He directed all parties seeking to be joined in the matter to file and exchange their processes ahead of the next adjourned date.
[8:53 PM, 5/11/2026] Lizzy tan: Hon. RAPHAEL IGBOKWE , Hon Raphael Igbokwe, Chairman Board of Trustees National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL)
