Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman Uche Secondus criticises a Federal High Court judgment directing the deregistration of five political parties. According to reports, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court orders the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party, citing failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration. Secondus responds in a statement, describing the ruling as a “dangerous precedent” that could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, reduce political participation and narrow democratic competition. He argues that deregistration provisions should be applied after elections rather than midway through the political cycle, warning that the decision could disenfranchise voters and destabilise the electoral process. Secondus also frames the move as an attempt to weaken opposition voices. After the judgment, the Court of Appeal in Abuja orders a stay of execution pending the determination of appeals by the affected parties. The reports present Secondus’s reaction as an assessment of potential democratic impact while the legal process continues.
Secondus criticises Federal High Court order deregistering ADC and four political parties
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman Uche Secondus criticises a Federal High Court judgment directing the deregistration of five political parties. According to reports, Justice Pet...
- A Federal High Court judgment orders INEC to deregister ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.
- The court ruling is attributed to failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued party registration.
- Uche Secondus issues public criticism, saying the order could weaken multi-party democracy and reduce political participation.
- Secondus argues deregistration should not happen midway through the political cycle.
- The Court of Appeal in Abuja grants a stay of execution pending appeals by the affected parties.
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has raised alarm over the recent judgment of the Federal High Court ordering the deregistration of several political parties, cautioning that the move could undermine Nigeria’s multi-party system.On Monday, Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party, ruling that they failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Secondus described the ruling as a dangerous precedent that could narrow political participation and weaken democratic competition.“This is not just a setback for the affected parties but a dangerous assault on the foundational principles of multi-party democracy, citizen participation, and the rule of law,” he said.Secondus argued that smaller and emerging parties are vital for broadening political participation and offering citizens alternative platforms. He accused the government of attempting to weaken opposition voices, saying: “They are afraid of the election; they want a coronation.”He further stressed that constitutional provisions on deregistration were designed to be applied after elections, not midway through the political cycle. According to him, deregistering parties at this stage disenfranchises voters, destabilises the system, and shrinks the democratic space.“It’s judicial rascality to endorse political exclusion by dissolving parties midway through a cycle. This disruption chills the competitive spirit necessary for a healthy democracy,” he added.The Court of Appeal in Abuja has since ordered a stay of execution of the judgment, pending the determination of appeals filed by the affected parties.
2 months agoUche Secondus warns that the court order deregistering ADC and four other parties could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. Read More: https://punchng.com/secondus-slams-court-order-deregistering-adc-four-other-parties/
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