Ireti Kingibe’s ADC Battle Drags On as Court Sets June 9 for Hearing

The legal battle swirling around Senator Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory, ADC) takes another turn. The Federal High Court in Abuja now sets June 9 for a full hearing in the high-stakes suit challenging her continued membership in the African Democratic Congress. This adjournment prolongs the internal wrangling, keeping Kingibe's political future within the party in limbo as the 2027 election cycle gathers pace.

At the heart of the matter are two executive members of the ADC’s Wuse Ward, Abuja: Mr. Okezuo Kanayo, the Ward Chairman, and Mr. Isaiah Sameul, the Secretary. They are the plaintiffs in the case, seeking an order to bar Senator Kingibe from performing any party functions or participating in ADC activities. Their legal team, led by Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), argues forcefully that Kingibe, despite her senatorial standing, remains bound by the party's constitution.

Justice Peter Lifu (Federal High Court, Abuja) presides over the case. Earlier on April 2, he declined an application for an interim injunction that would have immediately restrained Kingibe. Instead, Justice Lifu ordered the plaintiffs to formally notify Kingibe to present her defence, allowing her time to show cause against the reliefs sought. This decision effectively gave the Senator a temporary reprieve, pushing the substantive arguments to a later date.

The latest adjournment came on Monday following an application by I. G. Ogugwa, counsel for the plaintiffs, who requested more time, clarifying the matter is not a pre-election issue. Meanwhile, Marshall Abubakar, representing Senator Kingibe, has already filed a preliminary objection, signaling a robust legal defense from the FCT Senator. The courtroom skirmish intensifies.

The Suspension and Allegations

The plaintiffs assert that the Wuse Ward Executive Committee formally suspended Senator Kingibe on March 10. This suspension, they claim, followed substantial allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and the physical seizure of the ward’s statutory records. Olowookere insists the process adhered strictly to the ADC Constitution, ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee.

Despite the alleged suspension, Kingibe, according to the plaintiffs, continues to operate as an ADC member. She reportedly holds parallel meetings and issues press statements, brazenly disregarding the ward’s decision. Furthermore, the lawyer alleges that Senator Kingibe has deployed her security detail to intimidate ward executives, creating a volatile and anarchic situation within the party's local structure.

Political Fallout and 2027 Implications

This protracted legal battle casts a long shadow over the African Democratic Congress. The internal discord not only undermines the party’s cohesion but also presents a significant distraction as political permutations for the 2027 elections begin in earnest. For Senator Ireti Kingibe, the outcome will directly impact her political leverage and future within the party, or potentially, outside of it. The ADC leadership faces a critical test in managing this highly public and fractious dispute.