A number of former members of the National Assembly have disowned the lawsuit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the case as fraudulent, unauthorised, and driven by individuals they called impostors.
In a statement signed by several former lawmakers, they said they had no knowledge of the suit filed at the Federal High Court and warned that the court was being misled by people who have no mandate to speak for them.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the attempt to use the name and reputation of former legislators to pursue a self-serving political agenda that we neither authorised nor support,” the statement said.
The former lawmakers noted that since 1999, more than 5,000 Senators and members of the House of Representatives have served Nigeria, making it absurd and insulting for a small group to claim they represent such a large and diverse body.
“The legislature is an institution built on seniority, hierarchy, parliamentary record, and long-standing tradition. Its culture recognizes experience, ranking, committee leadership, contributions on the floor, and years of national service. These conventions cannot be undermined by persons with no mandate, no legitimacy, and no historical grounding among parliamentary elders,” the statement read.
“To suggest that a few self-appointed individuals represent thousands of former lawmakers is fraudulent, provocative, and unacceptable,” the statement added.
They specifically accused Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe, who has been presenting himself as the National Coordinator of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), of impersonation.
According to them, his exco was never elected, endorsed, or recognised by any legitimate gathering of former lawmakers.
“His so-called exco is nothing more than a hand-assembled clique attempting to exploit the name of ex-legislators,” the statement added.
The lawmakers insisted that no congress, meeting, vote, or discussion ever took place to authorise the lawsuit against the ADC.
They described the lawsuit as an illegal, unmandated, and misleading move.
They also suggested that the suit is being secretly supported by political actors, including figures within the leadership of the House of Representatives and top government officials in Abuja.
They described the move as part of a wider attempt to weaken multiparty democracy, saying: “This is a broader anti-democratic attempt to weaken Nigeria’s political space and push the country toward a one-party state. We will resist this agenda with every legitimate democratic tool available.”
Calling the lawsuit a waste of judicial time, they urged the court to dismiss it immediately.
“We call on the judiciary to recognize the gross misrepresentation at the heart of this matter and strike out the suit without delay,” the statement noted.
The former lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to a vibrant multiparty system, respect for legislative institutions, and the protection of opposition parties.
“We reject this plot. We reject the impostors. We reject the attempt to silence the opposition voice,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by several former lawmakers, including Hon. Linus Okorie, Hon. Mohammed Soba, Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, Hon. Tom Zakari, Hon. Bassey Ewah, Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari, Hon. Chika Adamu, Hon. Sergius Ogun, Hon. Sam Okwu, Hon. Herman Hembe, Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim, Hon. Abiodun Supo, Hon. Kamil Akinlabi, Hon. Adetunji Tajudeen Ajagbe, Hon. Mayor Eze, Hon. Rufus Omiri, and Hon. Nko Nkole, and many others.
