Political Parties Qualified for General Elections in Nigeria

 Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

Chairman

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Through

Resident Electoral Commissioner (INEC)

Anambra State

House of Assembly Road

Awka

Dear Sir,

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED TRUE COPY (C.T.C) OF THE FULL LIST OF ALL REGISTERED POLITICAL PARTIES ELIGIBLE TO SPONSOR CANDIDATES IN THE FORTHCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

I hereby apply for Certified True Copy (C.T.C) of the Full List of All Registered Political Parties eligible to sponsor candidates in the forthcoming General Elections in Nigeria. This information is sought pursuant to Sections 2(1)  & (3) and 5(a) of Freedom of Information Act 2011. This application became necessary in view of the fact that INEC must fully obey the Appeal Court Judgment in Appeal No.CA/E/170/2014 between Barrister Jezie Ekejiuba V. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & Anor which made an Order relisting all de-registered political parties in Nigeria. INEC was stripped of its powers under Section 78(7)(i) & (ii) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended) to de-register political parties in Nigeria on 2^nd day of June, 2016 when the judgment was delivered.

The Court of Appeal, Enugu in its judgment made the following sweeping declaration and Orders in Reliefs 1, 3 and 4 granted to the Appellant, Barrister Jezie Ekejiuba namely:

“1. A Declaration that the provisions of Section 78(7) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) are from the date of the commencement of the said Act inconsistent with and violate the provisions of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended) and are accordingly unconstitutional, null and void and inoperative”.

“3. An Order setting aside, nullifying and or voiding Section 78(7) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) pursuant to Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended)”.

“4. An Order setting aside, nullifying all the steps or actions taken or being taken by the 1^st Defendant (INEC) based on or connected with or relating to the exercise of powers under Section 78(7) of Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) including the de-registration and withdrawal of Certificate of Registration of Seven (7) recognized political parties in Nigeria namely Democratic Alternative (DA), National Action Council (NAC), National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP), Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP) and National Unity Party (NUP) made on 18^th August, 2011 by the Defendant (INEC)”.

The interpretation of the Judgment as can be seen in Reliefs 1, 3 and 4 above is that all  de-registered political parties in Nigeria were restored  back to life. While the above Seven (7) political parties were de-registered on 18^th August, 2011, Twenty-Eight (28) other political parties were de-registered on 6^th December, 2012 during the pendency of the suit bringing the total number of de-registered political parties to Thirty-Five (35), which were the subject-matter of the Appeal – hence this application to confirm due compliance with the Appeal Court Judgment.

I will not hesitate to file Form 49 against INEC Chairman for disobedience of Court Order should the Commission treat this application with levity. It is a waste of resources to embark on formation of new political parties when there are already many political parties in existence. Nigerian citizens deserve to know with certainty the full disclosure of the List of all Registered political parties eligible to sponsor candidates in the forthcoming General Elections and for the politicians to join these parties to contest elections rather than forming new political parties.

Dated this 22^th Day of March, 2017.

Yours faithfully,

 

BARRISTER JEZIE EKEJIUBA

ONITSHA-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER

& PRESIDENT,VOTERS RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL