Judge rules party discipline is an internal affair, faults plaintiffs for seeking validation of their own suspension action

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring the case frivolous and an abuse of court process.

Justice Peter Lifu, delivering judgment on Friday, ruled that issues bordering on discipline, suspension, and membership within a political party remain internal matters that do not warrant judicial interference.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026, was filed by Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel on behalf of themselves and other ADC members, naming the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senator as the sole defendant.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to restrain Kingibe from parading herself as a member of the ADC, attending party meetings, performing party functions, or representing the party in any capacity, pending the determination of their substantive motion. They also sought to bar her from interfering in ward administration and party records.

Their claims stemmed from an alleged suspension of the senator by Wuse Ward executives on March 10, 2026, over accusations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and alleged seizure of ward documents. They insisted the suspension followed due process under the ADC constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the ward executive committee.

The plaintiffs further alleged that despite being notified of her suspension, Kingibe continued to hold parallel meetings, issue statements as an ADC member, and intimidate ward officials using her security details.

However, Justice Lifu dismissed the arguments, questioning why those who initiated the suspension were seeking judicial endorsement of their own action. He held that it was the senator, as the affected party, who had the right to approach the court if she felt aggrieved.

Describing the suit as “frivolous, baseless, and unfounded,” the court invoked provisions of the Electoral Act and imposed a ₦10 million fine on the plaintiffs, payable to Senator Kingibe.

In addition, the court slammed another ₦10 million penalty on the plaintiffs’ counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kolawole Olowookere, also to be paid to the senator.

The ruling reinforces longstanding judicial precedent that courts will not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties unless fundamental rights are at stake.