Dr. Monday Ubani, chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association Electoral Committee, says the judiciary cannot dictate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on political party deregistration. Speaking on Arise Television’s “Day Break,” Ubani argues that INEC is constitutionally independent in carrying out registration and deregistration, and that courts should not substitute their judgment for that of the electoral body.
His remarks follow a Federal High Court decision by Justice Peter Lifu, which ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties. According to the reports, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issues a stay of execution on the ruling shortly after it was delivered. Ubani also contends that INEC already exercised its constitutional powers through an administrative review and concluded the parties had not breached deregistration requirements. He therefore criticises the high court order as encroaching on INEC’s statutory functions.
The development draws reactions in Nigerian politics, with attention on how the dispute could affect party activity ahead of the 2027 general elections. The affected parties remain active pending the appellate action.
