AGF Proposes Deregistration of Non-Performing Parties

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has advocated for the deregistration of political parties that do not secure electoral seats, referencing Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution. This position was articulated in response to a suit filed by the Nigerian Forum for Legislative Reform (NFFL), which seeks judicial interpretation of the constitutional provisions governing party registration.

Malami emphasized that non-performing parties inflate ballot papers and strain public resources, complicating electoral administration and undermining constitutional intent. He noted that the Fourth Amendment addresses ballot congestion and aims to improve the electoral process.

The NFFL, represented by Yakubu Ruba, argues that many parties have not met the minimum performance threshold, failing to win seats at various levels of government. The suit warns that unless the court intervenes, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may allow these parties to participate in the 2027 general elections, potentially misleading voters and overstretching administrative resources.