INEC to Cease Registration of Weak Political Parties
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its intention to discontinue the registration of politically insignificant parties in Nigeria.
Hajiya Hauwa Habib, INEC’s Acting Director of the Department of Election and Party Monitoring, conveyed this message during a program titled ‘Validation session: Needs assessment of political parties in Nigeria.’
This event, organized by The Kukah Centre and funded by the European Union, was part of Component III of the EU’s support for democratic governance in Nigeria.
Habib asserted that to establish a political party, its founders must secure memberships from 24 individuals spanning 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
She referred to these groups as “briefcase political parties,” highlighting that some parties were essentially controlled by a few individuals, particularly the chairman and secretary who initiated the party’s registration, with most members not actively contributing financially.
As a consequence, the chairman, secretary, and treasurer assumed full control of party activities, leaving other executive members, such as the financial secretary, welfare secretary, and publicity secretary, with limited or no role to play.
This centralization of power within a party often led to internal conflicts and legal disputes, further complicating electoral processes and results.
Habib cited an example of a party that was registered in 2018 with only four members, despite constitutional provisions requiring a minimum of 24 members from 24 states and the FCT. This party, consisting of members solely from the South-West region, faced legal challenges but was ultimately deregistered by INEC due to its lack of seriousness and inability to function effectively.
The Acting Director emphasized the importance of political parties in Nigerian governance and criticized the perception of party membership as a casual or insignificant matter. She highlighted that political parties play a crucial role in the country’s democratic process, providing a platform for citizens’ participation in governance.
In response to concerns about INEC’s workload, Habib suggested that certain duties, such as investigations, could be removed from the commission’s responsibilities. She also emphasized that INEC’s primary role is to conduct elections and issue certificates of return, and the commission should not be held responsible for the internal disputes and management of political parties.