CNPP Condemns Court Ruling Deregistering Political Parties

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) condemned a recent court judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties: the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). In a statement signed by its Deputy National Public Secretary, Jame Ezema, the CNPP expressed concern that this ruling undermines Nigeria's democracy and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The CNPP described the judgment as a direct threat to Nigeria's constitutional democracy and multi-party system, questioning the involvement of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in supporting the suit. They argued that democracy cannot thrive in a weakened political competition and warned that such deregistration reflects a state capture situation where political actors manipulate public institutions for predetermined outcomes.

The CNPP called on civil society groups, labor unions, religious leaders, and the international community to defend democratic values in Nigeria.