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 until July 7 for hearing.

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

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. PoliticalCampaign Management

“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 appear the judgment.

The organisation, in a statement issued on Friday by its Spokesman, Idris Zekeri, described the court pronouncement as a temporary setback.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the court had , on Friday, set aside its earlier judgment directing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register NDC as a political party.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Isah Dashen, said that the earlier judgment affected the rights of Peace Movement Party (PMP) was not included in the case despite claiming ownership of the logo used by NDC.

The organisation, in its reaction, however, said that its legal team was already reviewing the ruling with a view to pursuing immediate corrective measures and filing an appeal, where necessary.

While urging supporters and coalition partners to remain calm, POMR maintained that the ruling was only a legal hurdle and not an end to its political movement.

“We have received the news of today’s bizarre ruling from the court in Lokoja regarding the legal status of NDC.

“Our legal teams are thoroughly reviewing the judgment to initiate immediate corrective and appellate measures.

“Our principal urges all our supporters, coalition partners and patriots nationwide to remain absolutely calm and focused,” it said.

The organisation said it had anticipated resistance in its efforts to challenge what it described as a deeply entrenched and underperforming political order.

“Today’s ruling is a hurdle, not a stop sign,” it stated.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to building what it described as a transparent, legitimate and formidable political alternative for Nigerians, adding that all available legal options would be explored.

“Our commitment to providing a transparent, legitimate and formidable alternative for Nigerians remains unshakeable.

“The platform we are building is robust, and our legal rights will be vigorously pursued.

“Do not be discouraged; the vehicle may face a temporary breakdown but our destination remains non-negotiable,” the statement added.

The organisation assured supporters that the movement remained focused on its objective, insisting “our march to a new Nigeria cannot be halted; a detour, yes, but the destination is certain.”

A Federal High Court in Lokoja on Friday  set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

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

The court 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 judgment was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.

He declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.

Justice Dashen further ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also observed that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified the decision to set aside the judgment.

Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit should begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC as parties to the case.

NAN reports that Counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.

History is in the making in Nigeria as the Senate on Wednesday expeditiously passed the State Police Bill which sought to move Nigeria from a unitary policing structure to a federal policing mode.

The desire for state police has lingered for decades but escalated security crises has proved it to the centre table.

The passage of the bill followed its clause by clause consideration by the committee of the whole of the Senate.

The bill is entitled: “A bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for State Police and Related Matters, 2026”.

The report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, shed light on the bill.

It indicates that the bill allows states to create their own police services, subject to national minimum standards, constitutional safeguards and federal oversight in defined exceptional circumstances.

“The bill represents one of the most significant institutional reforms proposed in the current constitutional review cycle.

“Its core objective is to move Nigeria from a unitary policing structure to a federal policing model that allows states to create their own police services.

“It is important to highlight that restructuring national security and policing frameworks is a key thematic area the committee has presented to Nigerians as a matter of serious national importance.

“This is in fulfilling its mandate to propose constitutional amendments that enhance national security and promote effective governance.”

Earlier, while presenting the lead debate, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele said the bill was an Executive Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu seeking to alter the Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and other related matters.

He said the bill represented one of the most significant constitutional reforms in the nation’s democratic evolution.

“It addresses a long-standing national conversation on the structure, effectiveness, responsiveness and sustainability of policing in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is common knowledge that Nigeria is a vast federation, comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with diverse cultures, languages, geographical terrains, security dynamics and socio-economic conditions.

“The increasing complexity of security threats, which include terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, farmer-herder clashes, cybercrime, organised criminal networks and other transnational crimes, have placed enormous pressure on the existing policing framework.”

In his remarks, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio said “It is my prayer that Nigerians will become safer and that the challenges of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism will not only be minimised but reduced to the barest minimum.

“I am confident that Nigeria shall overcome terrorism and banditry and so shall it be.”