Politics

Fresh Trouble for Obi, Kwankwaso as Court Stops NDC Registration

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13 minutes ago

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A recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Lokoja has overturned a previous judgment that required the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a recognized political party.

The decision, delivered on Friday by Justice Isah Dashen, has significant implications for the political landscape in Nigeria.

The court’s announcement was communicated on the same day via a social media update by Lere Olayinka, who serves as the media aide to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

This ruling arrives at a critical juncture for several established opposition parties in Nigeria, many of which are grappling with profound internal challenges. Notable among these parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party, both of which have been struggling to maintain their political relevance.

In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA reports that a different Federal High Court in Abuja recently issued orders for the deregistration of the ADC, the Accord Party, and three additional political associations.

This directive was a result of a lawsuit initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which asserted that these parties had failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary for their continued registration.

According to Nigerian electoral law, political parties are mandated to secure a minimum of 25 percent of the votes in at least one state during presidential elections or to win at least one elective position at the national, state, or local government levels in order to remain registered with INEC.

The court found that these identified parties had underperformed, failing to meet these crucial benchmarks during both the 2023 elections and subsequent by-elections, which raises questions about their future viability in the country’s political arena.