The member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has strongly criticised the Federal High Court’s ruling that ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Alliance for Peoples’ Organisation (APP).
Lawmaker Calls Judgment a Threat to Democracy
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Ugochinyere described the decision as a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic framework and an apparent disregard for established judicial precedents. He warned that allowing the judgment to stand could set a dangerous precedent for political pluralism in the country.
The suit, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the parties from its register, alleging they had failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
Existing Judicial Authorities Overlooked
Ugochinyere argued that the affected parties remain validly registered and have already secured electoral victories. He noted that superior courts — including the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court — have previously interpreted Section 225A of the Constitution to protect parties that have won elections from deregistration.
He claimed the ruling ignored those authorities as well as submissions made by INEC during the proceedings. According to the lawmaker, INEC informed the court that the parties had satisfied constitutional requirements by winning elective positions in previous elections.
Electoral Successes Cited
To illustrate his point, Ugochinyere highlighted that the ADC won two seats in the House of Representatives from Kogi State during the 2023 general election, while the APP secured a local government chairmanship seat in Jigawa State. He also pointed to the Accord Party’s victory in a seat in the Imo State House of Assembly, among other recorded successes by the affected parties.
“INEC itself told the court that these parties met the constitutional requirements. Yet the judgment proceeded regardless. That is why many Nigerians are worried about the implications for democracy and the rule of law,” he stated.
Concerns Over Judicial Process
Beyond the substance of the ruling, Ugochinyere questioned the circumstances under which the judgment was delivered, alleging that the court proceeded despite an existing Court of Appeal order staying proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.
He described the development as unprecedented and called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to immediately investigate the matter, convene an emergency meeting, and impose sanctions if due judicial process was not followed.
Call for Bar Association Intervention
The lawmaker also urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take an active interest in the case, warning that public confidence in the judiciary could be undermined if allegations of disregard for superior court decisions remain unresolved.
“The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. If judgments of superior courts can be ignored, then we are endangering one of the most important institutions of our democracy,” he said.
Parties to Continue Political Activities
Ugochinyere insisted that neither the APP nor the other affected parties would cease political activities as a result of the judgment. They will continue preparations for future elections while pursuing legal remedies.
He further warned against attempts to narrow Nigeria’s democratic space ahead of the 2027 general election, arguing that democracy thrives when citizens are presented with diverse political choices.
“Let all political parties participate and let Nigerians decide who they want. Democracy is about participation and competition, not exclusion,” he concluded.
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