The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 24 to deliver its ruling on a joinder application in a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister several political parties over alleged constitutional violations.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, Raphael Igbokwe, disclosed this while addressing journalists shortly after the court proceedings.
The suit targets the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Alliance (AA), and other political parties, alleging non-compliance with constitutional requirements governing party operations.
Igbokwe explained that the group approached the court to seek clarification and interpretation of relevant constitutional provisions relating to the regulation of political parties. According to him, the action is intended to strengthen and expand Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.
He expressed concern that INEC may be selective in the enforcement of electoral laws, questioning why the commission appears reluctant to apply the same standards it enforced in 2021 when it deregistered 74 political parties.
“In a constitutional democracy, every institution is expected to operate strictly within the provisions of the Constitution,” Igbokwe said. “We are concerned that INEC seems to be choosing which political parties to apply the law to. If the law was applied five years ago, why not now?”
He maintained that the matter ultimately rests with the court to determine whether the commission has acted appropriately, adding that the legal action is aimed at reinforcing the rule of law within Nigeria’s electoral framework.
The case is expected to provide judicial clarity on the scope of INEC’s constitutional powers regarding the registration and deregistration of political parties.
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