Parties’ Deregistration: APC Government Afraid of Elections – Secondus

Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of using the judiciary to undermine democracy.

Secondus warned that such judicial actions could lead to a one-party system and weaken Nigeria’s democracy if left unchecked.

Reacting to the recent Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu deregistering some political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Secondus expressed profound disappointment and concern over the development, which came midway through the political cycle after the affected parties had concluded their primary elections and prepared their candidates for campaigns.

The former PDP chairman, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, said the decision was not only a setback for the affected parties but also a dangerous assault on the foundational principles of multi-party democracy, citizen participation, and the rule of law.

Secondus accused the government of deliberately weakening opposition parties in pursuit of a one-party state.

“They are afraid of elections; they want a coronation,” he said.

According to Secondus, the framers of the Nigerian Constitution envisaged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would act on issues relating to party deregistration shortly after a general election and not in the middle of another electoral cycle.

He argued that deregistering parties midway through the political process effectively disenfranchises voters, creates political instability, and narrows the democratic space, particularly at a time when several political parties are already grappling with internal crises.

“It is judicial rascality to endorse political exclusion by dissolving parties midway through an electoral cycle. This obvious disruption creates unnecessary vacuums and undermines the competitive spirit necessary for a healthy democracy.

“A robust democracy requires a low barrier to entry for alternative ideas. By dismantling smaller or emerging parties mid-cycle, the system heavily favours the entrenched political establishment and locks out grassroots movements that are essential to democratic growth and participation,” he stated.