Deregistration of Parties: Supreme Court Upholds INEC

By Uche Mbah

The Supreme Court, Friday, squashed the Appeal Court’s ruling which chided the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for deregistering political parties, thereby upholding INEC action.

INEC had scrapped 74 political parties they considered unviable two years ago because of their abysmal performances at the polls, having won no seats at the polls.

Later, the Advanced Congress of Democrats and 21 other parties took INEC to Court, demanding they reverse their decision.

The Court did not grant their plea, but on appeal by INEC, the Appeal Court ordered INEC to reverse its decision. The case ended up at the Supreme Court.

Justice Ejembi Eko, who read the judgment on behalf of his brother-Justices, Friday, set aside the judgment of the Appeal Court.

Justice Eko pointed out that the Appeal Court ruled without hearing from other parties involved in the matter. He said the Appellate Court raised the issue of fair hearing but did not apply it to the defendants.

The Apex Court, therefore, ruled that INEC’s decision is commendable and sustained.