*Call on INEC to immediately comply with court order
Forum of Registered political Parties (FRPP), Edo State chapter, has commended Appeal Court over its recent ruling against the deregistration of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
FRPP, in a communiqué issued after a meeting to review the judgment of the Appeal Court described it as hope rekindling and a vote against attempts at muzzling the opposition.
The forum said that the judges’ unanimous decision against the deregistration of political parties by INEC was a remarkable victory for democracy in Nigeria.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Comrade Victor Edward Ogba, Edo State NCP chairman and FRPP Chairman, as well as Jide Ibrahim, Edo State PPA Secretary and FRPP Secretary.
While commending the sagacity and courage of the judges who presided over the case, the forum expressed happiness that Nigeria could still boast of unbiased and brave judges who mean well for the polity.
It called on INEC to immediately comply with the Court of Appeal ruling by restoring all rights and privileges of the once deregistered political parties to them.
FRPP also stated that INEC should, as a matter of urgency, create a window of not less than three weeks for all the reinstated registered political parties to conduct their primaries for the Edo and Ondo states governorship primaries.
It stressed that the other political parties like the National Conscience Party (NCP) which had earlier conducted their governorship primaries, but were rejected by INEC should have their nominated candidates automatically listed among the recognised governorship candidates in both Edo and Ondo states.
The forum urged INEC to take all the necessary steps in this direction not later than a week, else it would institute appropriate legal action against the agency.
FRPP expressed its appreciation to the national chairmen of the affected political parties, saying their dogged struggles ensured the reinstatement of the political parties.
It also thanked concerned Nigerians for their goodwill and support throughout the period of travail the now reinstated political parties went through.
While commending the judiciary for its courage to deliver the landmark judgment, the forum solicited for more efforts on its part to expedite and dispense of all pre-election matters in the courts involving some political parties contesting the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
The communique read in part: “FRPP appreciated the position of the Court of Appeal on the issue and sees the unanimous judgment passed on Monday, 10th August, 2020 reinstating the INEC – de-registered political parties as hope rekindling, a vote against attempts at muzzling up of the opposition, and a remarkable victory for democracy in Nigeria.
“FRPP recognized and praised the sagacity and courage of all the distinguished learned judges who presided over the Court of Appeal ruling and observed that Nigeria can still boast of unbiased and brave judges who mean well for the Nigerian polity.
“FRPP therefore call on INEC to immediately comply with the Court of Appeal ruling by restoring all rights and privileges of the once de-registered political parties back to them”.
Leave a Reply