BREAKING: Dangerous Moves, Dangerous Consequences — Ugochinyere

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Member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North and South, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has warned against attempts to deregister political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, saying such actions could trigger a national crisis.

Speaking during a press conference shared by Symfoni TV, Ugochinyere said a lawsuit filed by a group identified as the National Forum of Former Legislators is seeking to remove parties such as the ADC, ZLP, Accord Party, NRM, APP, and other opposition parties from participating in the elections. He described the move as dangerous, arguing that many of these parties have already produced candidates for positions including president, governor, Senate, House of Representatives, and state assemblies, and are already participating in the electoral process.

Ugochinyere also questioned the legal process surrounding the case before Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court, alleging that it failed to follow proper procedures regarding joinder, abridgment of time, and fair hearing. He claimed that despite appeals and applications for a stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal, the case continued and a judgment date was fixed that could lead to the removal of several parties from the ballot within days.

Citing Section 225A of the Constitution, Ugochinyere argued that any political party that has won at least one elective position, including councilorship, state assembly, national assembly, governorship, or presidential election, cannot be deregistered. He said recent court rulings in Uyo, Owerri, and at the Court of Appeal supported this interpretation.

He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, and the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene, warning that allowing such a move could create instability and undermine democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.