Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives who represents Imo State’s Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, has stated that there are plans to deregister significant opposition political groups in advance of the 2027 election.
At a news conference in Abuja, he sounded the alarm.
Any move to deregister opposition parties, the legislator cautioned, might cause a political crisis and jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy.
In an attempt to reduce political competition prior to the upcoming elections, the federal member said that unidentified political actors were targeting opposition parties through the legal system.
In particular, he brought up the Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He claimed that the purported action was intended to hinder opposition candidates’ ability to actively participate in the next elections.
What sort of chaos do you wish to see in this nation?
“You cannot expect Nigerians to fold their arms if political parties are deregistered a few months before elections. Ugochinyere questioned, “You are playing with fire.”
He said that by gaining elective positions, including council seats, parties like ADC, Accord, and APP had already fulfilled constitutional requirements.
“The Constitution is unambiguous. Deregistration does not occur after a party gains even one council seat, he said.
Additionally, Ugochinyere cited other rulings from the Federal High Courts in Uyo and Awka as well as Court of Appeal rulings that, according to him, confirmed that parties who met constitutional requirements could not be deregistered.
He said that by gaining elective positions, including council seats, parties like ADC, Accord, and APP had already fulfilled constitutional requirements.
“The Constitution is unambiguous. Deregistration does not occur after a party gains even one council seat, he said.
Additionally, Ugochinyere cited other rulings from the Federal High Courts in Uyo and Awka as well as Court of Appeal rulings that, according to him, confirmed that parties who met constitutional requirements could not be deregistered.
Additionally, he warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission should refrain from appealing a recent Federal High Court ruling pertaining to some components of the electoral schedule, as this could lead to uncertainty in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
“At this crucial juncture, the nation cannot afford misunderstanding.
He declared, “Appealing this ruling will create tension, uncertainty, and doubts about the credibility of the elections.”
Before the 2027 elections, the legislator urged President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s Chief Justice, the National Judicial Council, and security services to safeguard democratic institutions and guarantee political inclusivity.
