Ugochinyere Warns of Plot to Deregister Opposition Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections

The member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has raised a serious alarm that there are moves to deregister major opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the federal lawmaker warned that any attempt to deregister opposition parties could plunge the country into a political crisis and undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

“What kind of anarchy do you want this country to go through? You cannot deregister political parties a few months to elections and expect Nigerians to fold their arms. You are playing with fire.”
Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere

Ugochinyere specifically named the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) as the parties allegedly targeted through court actions aimed at weakening political competition before the next elections.

He argued that these parties have already satisfied constitutional requirements by winning elective positions, including councillorship seats, and therefore cannot be lawfully deregistered.

“The Constitution is clear. Once a party wins even one councillorship seat, deregistration does not arise,” he stated, adding that previous judgments from the Federal High Courts in Uyo and Awka, as well as rulings from the Court of Appeal, affirm that parties meeting the constitutional threshold are protected from deregistration.

The lawmaker also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to appeal a recent Federal High Court judgment concerning aspects of the electoral timetable, warning that such an appeal could create uncertainty and tension ahead of the 2027 polls.

“The country cannot afford confusion at this critical moment. Appealing this judgment will create tension, uncertainty and doubts about the credibility of the elections,” he said.

Finally, Ugochinyere appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council and security agencies to protect democratic institutions and ensure political inclusiveness as the nation prepares for the 2027 elections.