Dare Babalola
The internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a new turn on Thursday as the Federal High Court in Abuja declined a request to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the affairs of the party.
This decision comes amid growing uncertainty following the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the party’s leadership.
The court’s decision is the latest development in a widening dispute within the ADC, which has been further complicated by INEC’s withdrawal of recognition from the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.
The move by the electoral body has sparked a wave of legal challenges and intensified factional tensions within the party.
In his ruling, Justice Peter Lifu refused an ex parte application filed by some ward leaders from Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory seeking an interim injunction to restrain Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the ADC or participating in its activities.
The plaintiffs, who are reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had approached the court alleging that the senator was suspended over anti-party activities.
Justice Lifu held that the court must exercise its discretion carefully, particularly in political matters, and stressed that granting such an order without hearing from the affected party would be unjust.
He ruled that justice would only be served if both sides were given the opportunity to present their cases and consequently directed that all court processes be served on the senator to enable her respond to the allegations.
The judge adjourned the matter until April 20, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications, setting the stage for a potentially prolonged legal contest that could further test the stability of the party.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was instituted by Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.
In their application, the plaintiffs claimed that the senator, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, was suspended on March 10, 2026, by Wuse Ward executives for alleged misconduct and violation of the party’s constitution.
They maintained that the suspension followed due process and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward’s executive committee.
According to them, despite being notified of her suspension, Kingibe continued to act as a member of the party by holding meetings, issuing public statements and allegedly interfering in the administration of the ward.
The plaintiffs further accused her of disregarding internal party mechanisms and claimed that her actions undermined the authority of the ward leadership.
They also alleged that she used security aides to intimidate party officials, insisting that her continued participation in party affairs posed a threat to order within the ward.
However, counsel to the senator, Abubakar Marshall, informed the court that a preliminary objection had already been filed challenging the competence of the suit.
He added that the objection had been served on the plaintiffs’ counsel, indicating that the defence would contest both the substance and legality of the claims against the lawmaker.
The court’s refusal to grant an immediate restraining order effectively allows Kingibe to continue her involvement in ADC activities pending the determination of the case, even as the party grapples with broader leadership and legitimacy questions.
The dispute comes at a critical time for the ADC, which is struggling to maintain cohesion following INEC’s decision to derecognise its national leadership.
The development has heightened uncertainty within the party and raised concerns among political observers about its ability to organise effectively ahead of key electoral processes.
