The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday failed to deliver judgment in a suit seeking the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, due to the absence of Justice Peter Lifu.
Justice Lifu had earlier fixed June 5, 2026, for ruling in the case filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several parties.
The suit challenges the constitutional compliance of ADC, Accord, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party.
After lawyers and litigants waited for nearly two hours, a court official announced that the judge was out of Abuja and a new date would be communicated.
The case has already seen several preliminary rulings. Justice Lifu previously dismissed applications for stay of proceedings and joinder, stressing that delays would harm litigants as political parties were expected to submit candidate lists ahead of elections. He cited Supreme Court warnings against undue stays of proceedings.
During final arguments, counsel for the plaintiffs, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba (SAN), insisted the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for electoral spread and performance, urging their deregistration.
INEC’s counsel confirmed the commission had filed a counter-affidavit, while defence lawyers for the affected parties argued the suit should be dismissed, citing pending appeals.
The court is expected to set a new date for judgment once Justice Lifu returns.
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