Senior Advocate of Nigeria and public affairs analyst, M.O. Ubani, SAN, has clarified the legal position on the deregistration of political parties in Nigeria.
Speaking during a television interview, Ubani explained that no court has the direct power to deregister a political party. According to him, the role of the court is limited to interpreting the law and, where necessary, directing the appropriate authority to act in line with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.
He emphasized that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains the only body empowered by law to deregister political parties, subject to the conditions provided under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Ubani noted that political parties are creations of law, and any process affecting their registration or deregistration must strictly follow due process. He added that the independence and constitutional powers of INEC must be respected in order to protect Nigeria’s democratic system.
Watch the full interview below.