The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to restrain Senator Ireti Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the party.
The move comes 48 hours after the senator’s indefinite suspension by the party’s Wuse Ward Executive Committee.
In an originating summons filed by the ADC’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, the party asked the court to declare that the Wuse Ward Executive Committee has the constitutional authority to discipline and suspend members within its jurisdiction.
The ADC is also asking the court to affirm that the suspension of Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the National Assembly, remains valid and subsisting.
The plaintiffs in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/539/2026, are Okezuo Godfrey Kanayo, Chairman of ADC in Wuse Ward, and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, the ward secretary. They filed the suit on behalf of themselves and the Wuse Ward Executive Committee.
Among the reliefs sought is a declaration that Kingibe cannot lawfully parade herself as a member or card-carrying member of the ADC while the suspension remains in force.
The plaintiffs also asked the court to declare that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC should not recognise Kingibe as a party member at any level during the period of her suspension.
The suit further requests the court to validate the decision of the Wuse Ward Executive Committee to suspend the senator.
According to court documents, the action was brought pursuant to Sections 6(6)(B) and 251 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as Article 16 of the ADC constitution and Order 3 Rules 6 and 7 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
The plaintiffs also relied on the inherent jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in seeking judicial interpretation and enforcement of the party’s constitutional provisions.
As of the time of filing the report, the case had not yet been assigned to a judge.
The development marks the latest twist in the internal dispute within the ADC involving the FCT senator.
Friday Olokor
Follow us on:
