Court Clears Senator Kingibe to Participate in ADC Activities

In a significant ruling for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Senator Ireti Kingibe's right to participate fully in all party activities. The court's decision effectively dismisses a lawsuit filed by certain ADC members who sought to bar Kingibe from engaging in party affairs, thereby upholding the principle that internal party disputes should be resolved within the party's own framework.

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The issue of discipline and suspension upon which this suit is predicated is an internal affair of the ADC that does not need the intervention of any court.

The plaintiffs, identified as Okezuo Anayo and Isaiah Samuel, had claimed to represent ward members and alleged that Kingibe had been suspended on March 10 due to anti-party activities and disregard for the ADC's constitution. They sought an injunction to prevent her from acting as an ADC member, attending meetings, or representing the party. The suit was based on grounds including alleged suspension following due process, Kingibe's continued parallel meetings, and intimidation of the executive committee.

However, Justice Peter Lifu, presiding over the case, struck out the suit, stating that the matter was fundamentally an internal affair of the ADC. The judge questioned the locus standi of the plaintiffs, noting that Kingibe, as the party member facing suspension, was the appropriate person to challenge such a disciplinary action in court. Justice Lifu characterized the suit as "frivolous, baseless and unfounded," suggesting that the plaintiffs themselves were uncertain about their own actions in initiating the legal challenge.

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Kingibe, being the person suspended, ought to be the one challenging the disciplinary action in court, adding that the plaintiffs were unsure of their own action and therefore rushed to court.

This ruling is a victory for Senator Kingibe and potentially for the internal autonomy of political parties in Nigeria. By emphasizing that disciplinary actions and membership disputes are internal matters, the court has set a precedent that may discourage external judicial interference in party politics. The imposition of a fine on the plaintiffs, invoking sections of the Electoral Act, further underscores the court's view on the frivolous nature of the suit, reinforcing the idea that such internal party squabbles should not burden the judicial system.

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While holding that the suit was frivolous, baseless and unfounded, Peter Lifu invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act and imposed a fine.