A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the crisis within the Action Alliance (AA) party. Justice Funmilola Demi-Ajayi made the remarks while ruling on an application by Kenneth Udeze to be joined in a lawsuit initiated by Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, the national chairman of the AA, against INEC.

The judge emphasized that INEC, as an impartial referee, has a duty to maintain accurate records of its activities, which is essential for the court to resolve disputes efficiently. However, INEC’s failure to provide necessary records has created difficulties for the court and contributed to the ongoing chaos within the AA party. Justice Demi-Ajayi noted that this neglect of duty by INEC has led to prolonged legal disputes within the party, emphasizing the need for the electoral commission to furnish the court with relevant details to resolve the issues.

In the same ruling, the court dismissed Udeze’s application for joinder, citing a lack of merit, and imposed a cost of N100,000 against him. According to Justice Demi-Ajayi, the plaintiff has the prerogative to choose the defendants in the case, and those seeking joinder are merely “meddlesome interlopers” unless they can demonstrate a legitimate reason for their inclusion. The judge found that Udeze failed to establish any multiplicity of claims that warranted his inclusion in the suit and that the parties he sought to join were neither necessary nor essential to the case.

The criticism by the Federal High Court highlights the challenges faced by the electoral commission in managing internal disputes within political parties. As the regulatory body overseeing political parties in Nigeria, INEC’s impartiality and efficiency are crucial for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The ongoing crisis within the AA party is a testament to the need for INEC to strengthen its record-keeping and dispute-resolution mechanisms to prevent similar disputes from arising in the future. As the case continues, the court’s decision is likely to have significant implications for the management of internal party disputes and the role of INEC in ensuring the stability of the political process.