By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned a new suit seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), until July 7 for hearing.

Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the case after counsel to the plaintiff, B.J. Akomolafe, sought an adjournment to enable him respond to the processes served on him by the NDC’s lawyer, Moses Achile.

When the matter was called on Monday, Akomolafe and Achile, who represented the plaintiff and 2nd defendant, were in court.

However, INEC, the 1st defendant, was not represented in court.

Akomolafe told the court that NDC, the 2nd defendant, served him with processes earlier in the morning and he would need time to reply.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter untik July 7 for hearing.

The judge ordered that a hearing notice be issued and served on the electoral umpire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ahidjo Karlahi, the Protem Director of Organisation of All Democratic Alliance (ADA) had sued INEC and NDC as 1st and 2nd defendants.

In the originating summons filed on June 2 marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1115/2026, the ADA leader said NDC as a political party had not fulfilled the mandatory constitutional and statutory conditions prescribed under Sections 221-225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Karlahi argued that the NDC was not listed among the prequalified associations for formal application in the 2025 political parties’ registration exercise.

According to him, NDC bypassed every mandatory step in the registration process, and as such, it should not be registered as a political party in the country.

He said, “The NDC was not listed among the prequalified associations for formal application in the 2025 political parties’ registration exercise.

“The NDC was not listed among those associations that paid the mandatory N2,000,000.00 administrative fee and received access codes to the INEC’s Application Portal for the 2025 registration exercise. VoterRegistration Software

“The NDC did not access INEC’s dedicated Political Party Registration Portal during the 2025 registration exercise which is the only way to fill the Form EC15A.

“The NDC did not hence fill INEC’s mandatory form EC15A, which is the only valid means of formally applying for registration as a political party.

“The NDC was not listed among the pre-qualified political associations published by INEC as having applied. These are not mere allegations – they are matters of public record.”

The ADA chieftain urged the court to declare the continuing validity of the NDC’s registration as unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, ultra vires, null and void.

His words: “My suit respectfully prays the court to in essence: declare that the constitution does not permit an entity that never satisfied constitutional conditions for registration to be registered and to continue enjoying the status of a political party.

“Declare the continuing administrative recognition of the NDC by INEC as unconstitutional and unlawful.

“Set aside the continuing recognition of NDC’s Certificate of Registration issued by INEC. Order INEC to halt its continuing recognition of NDC from its official register of political parties.

“Forbid INEC from continuing to deal with NDC as a political party; restrain the NDC from continuing to parade itself or continuing to participate in any electoral activity as a registered political party.

“This suit is instituted solely by me as a citizen to advance constitutionalism, the rule of law and electoral integrity in our democracy. It is not directed against any individual or group of persons.

Karlahi explained that the suit carries no ulterior political or personal motives, adding that it is not instituted on behalf of any association or group, including the ADA.

“I believe that electoral integrity is the bedrock of constitutional democracy. If the process for registering political parties is compromised, the entire democratic edifice is at risk. This suit is my contribution to safeguarding that process.

“I call on all Nigerians – regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion – to understand, support and be patient as this matter proceeds through the judicial process.

“The courts remain the last refuge of the common man and the ultimate guardian of our Constitution. I have faith in the judiciary and trust that justice will be done according to law.

“I urge the media, civil society and the general public to follow this case with the seriousness it deserves, not as a partisan squabble, but as a test of whether our constitutional order will be respected or eroded,” he said.

NAN recalls that a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi, on Friday set aside its earlier judgement directing INEC to register NDC as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen, in his decision, held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.

The judge upheld the application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit.

According to the judge, the earlier judgement was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.

NDC had, however, vowed to appeal the judgment. (NAN)

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