INEC's Independence Affirmed Amid Deregistration Order

Lawyer Mondai Ubani asserted that the judiciary does not have the authority to dictate actions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during an interview on Arise Television. His comments came in response to a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, which ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with three other political parties.

Ubani emphasized that INEC is clearly independent as per the Nigerian constitution. Following the ruling, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued an order to stay the execution of the judgment, which directed INEC to deregister the ADC and the other parties.

Ubani reacted to Justice Lifu's order, stating that INEC's judgment to deregister political parties is based on its constitutional powers and that the commission should not be compelled to act based on the judiciary's opinion.