Court Denies Bid to Bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from ADC Activities

The legal drama surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a fresh turn as a Federal High Court in Abuja has officially rejected a bid to stop Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in party activities.

For those following the FCT political space, this is a major “hold your horses” moment in the ongoing battle between the Senator and her ward executives.

A House Divided

The trouble started back in March 2026, when the Wuse Ward Executive Committee of the ADC announced the indefinite suspension of Senator Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The ward leaders, led by Chairman Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Secretary Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, accused her of:

• Anti-party activities
• Gross misconduct
• Confiscation of statutory ward records

Not satisfied with just a suspension letter, the ward leaders took the matter to court (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CV/539/2026), seeking an interim injunction to stop her from parading herself as a member or attending any ADC meetings.

The Court’s Verdict: “Justice Must Be Fair”

In a ruling delivered today, Thursday, April 2, 2026, Justice Peter Lifu declined the ex-parte application. The judge was clear: you can’t just shut a sitting Senator out of her party without giving her a chance to speak.

“The interest of justice would only be served when the defendant is heard on the issues raised alongside those of the plaintiffs,” Justice Lifu stated.

He emphasized that judicial discretion in political matters must be exercised “judicially and judiciously,” essentially telling the plaintiffs that the court won’t be used to settle internal party squabbles without a fair hearing.

The court has ordered that Senator Kingibe be served with all court processes so she can prepare her defense. While her lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, has already indicated they are challenging the suit with a preliminary objection, the battle is far from over.

For now, Senator Kingibe remains a card-carrying and active member of the ADC, regardless of what the Wuse Ward execs might say.