ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uche Secondus, has criticised the recent Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of five political parties, warning that the decision could undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.
Secondus expressed his concerns in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, describing the ruling as a threat to democratic participation and political competition if allowed to stand.
The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration.
Reacting to the development, the former PDP chairman argued that the ruling came at a crucial period in the political cycle when some of the affected parties had already completed internal preparations and were positioning themselves for future electoral activities.
According to him, the decision goes beyond the affected parties and strikes at the heart of democratic governance.
“The judgment is not just a setback for the affected parties but a dangerous assault on the foundational principles of multi-party democracy, citizen participation and the rule of law,” Secondus said.
He maintained that political parties serve as vital platforms through which citizens express diverse political views and participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
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Accusing the government of attempting to weaken opposition forces ahead of future elections, Secondus declared: “They are afraid of the election; they want a coronation.”
The former PDP chairman further argued that constitutional provisions relating to the deregistration of political parties were designed to be implemented shortly after elections and not in the middle of an electoral cycle.
“To deregister the parties midway effectively disenfranchises voters, creates political instability and narrows the democratic space, especially when a crisis has been deliberately injected into other parties,” he stated.
Secondus also described the ruling as a direct threat to democratic competition and political inclusiveness.
“It’s judicial rascality to endorse political exclusion by dissolving parties midway through a cycle. This obvious disruption creates unnecessary vacuums and chills the competitive spirit necessary for a healthy democracy,” he said.
He stressed that emerging and smaller political parties remain essential to strengthening democratic participation by providing alternative political platforms and fresh ideas.
“A robust democracy requires a low barrier to entry for alternative ideas. By dismantling smaller or emerging parties mid-cycle, the system heavily favours the entrenched political establishment and locks out grassroots movements needed for a robust democracy,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment pending the hearing and determination of appeals filed by the affected political parties.
The appellate court’s intervention temporarily halts the implementation of the deregistration order, providing relief for the parties involved as the legal battle continues.