Chidinma Iroegbu
Proceedings in the suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties suffered a setback on Friday after the Federal High Court in Abuja suspended judgment indefinitely.
Justice Peter Lifu halted delivery of judgment following an Appeal Court order granting Accord Party a stay of proceedings in the matter.
The case was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and other registered political parties.
Court officials informed parties at the resumed hearing that a fresh date for judgment would be communicated later.
The Court of Appeal had on May 29 stopped further proceedings in the case pending determination of issues raised by Accord Party.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, Raphael Igbokwe, faulted the appellate court’s decision to suspend proceedings.
Igbokwe disclosed that the group had already filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the stay of proceedings.
“We are concerned that a matter which had reached judgment stage has now been stalled,” he said while addressing journalists after proceedings.
The plaintiffs argued that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance and spread in previous elections.
Among parties listed in the suit are ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party, with the plaintiffs seeking their deregistration under Nigeria’s electoral laws.