ADC Crisis: Court Declines Bid to Stop Kingibe from Party Affairs

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application seeking to bar Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following her alleged suspension.

Presiding over the matter, Peter Lifu ruled that the application could not be granted without first giving the senator an opportunity to respond to the allegations against her.

Instead, the court directed the plaintiffs; ward leaders from Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory, to formally serve Kingibe with all relevant court documents, notifying her of the suit and compelling her to appear in court.

Justice Lifu stressed that judicial discretion, particularly in politically sensitive matters, must be exercised fairly and in accordance with due process. He noted that justice can only be achieved when all parties are heard on the merits of the case.

The case was subsequently adjourned to April 20, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ward members, with Senator Kingibe listed as the sole defendant.

Allegations and Claims

In their ex-parte motion, the plaintiffs alleged that the senator, who represents the FCT, was suspended on March 10, 2026, by Wuse Ward executives over accusations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and the alleged seizure of ward records.

They maintained that the suspension followed due process in line with the ADC constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward executive committee.

Despite the suspension, the plaintiffs claimed Kingibe continued to act as a member of the party, holding parallel meetings, issuing statements, and allegedly using security personnel to intimidate ward officials.

They argued that such actions undermine the internal structure of the party and constitute a disregard for its established procedures.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Kolawole Olowookere, SAN, had urged the court to grant interim orders restraining the senator from parading herself as an ADC member or interfering in party affairs pending the determination of the suit.

However, legal counsel reportedly representing Kingibe, Abubakar Marshall, informed the court that a preliminary objection had been filed, challenging the suit. He noted that the objection had already been served on the plaintiffs’ counsel during proceedings.