A lawsuit has been filed at the Federal High Court in Owerri by a group called Civic Action for Democracy, seeking the removal of the Action Peoples Party from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s register. The group’s Executive Director, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, stated that the legal action is necessary due to the party’s continued presence in the INEC database despite being deregistered.
According to Ngoforo, the deregistration of the Action Peoples Party was lawful and took place on February 6, 2020. He claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s retention of the party in its database is illegal and constitutes a threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. The group is seeking 21 distinct reliefs from the court, including a declaration that the party’s deregistration was lawful and a perpetual injunction to prevent the party from participating in any electoral activities.
Ngoforo emphasized that the lawsuit is not politically motivated, but rather aimed at protecting the rule of law and constitutional governance. He stated that Civic Action for Democracy is a non-partisan organization with no affiliation to any political party, and its sole interest is in ensuring that elections are conducted with integrity and in accordance with the Constitution.
The group’s Executive Director expressed concern that the retention of the Action Peoples Party in the INEC register may be an attempt to exploit a legal loophole to nullify the 2027 general elections. He pointed out that the party’s deregistration was affirmed by the Supreme Court in March 2022, and it is therefore surprising that INEC has been reluctant to obey the court order.
The lawsuit has significant implications for Nigeria’s electoral system, and the outcome may have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democratic process. The case highlights the importance of ensuring the integrity of electoral institutions and the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process. As the case progresses, it is likely to attract attention from lovers of democracy and those interested in promoting good governance in Nigeria.
