Reps Move To Strip INEC Of Party Registration, Regulation Powers

The House of Representatives has passed through second reading, a bill for an Act to an Act to provide for establishment of an independent authority for the registration, regulation and funding of political Parties in the country.

The bill is sponsored by the Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (APC, Kaduna) and Hon. Marcus Onobun.

The bill comes as the talks of the emergence of a new coalition party ahead of the 2027 general election.

The bill seeks to remove the registration and regulation of political parties from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and create an independent body or authority; office of the Registrar of Political Parties to regulate the funding and use of political parties funds.

It also intends to establish a Political Parties Dispute Tribunal to determine disputes between members of political parties and political parties, independent candidates and a political party, amongst others.

Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, the co-sponsor, Hon. Onobun said it called for a transparent electoral process in Nigeria and which had dominated public discourse in recent years as evident in the increase in electoral disputes at all levels.

“Dear honourable colleagues we have before us political parties registration and regulation bill, 2024 seeking to remove political parties registration and regulation from the Independent National Electoral Commission, an innovation with regards to political registration and regulation in Nigeria.

“The background of this bill calls for a transparent electoral process in Nigeria and this has dominated public discourse in recent years. This is evident in the increase in electoral disputes at all levels.

“All stakeholders in the electoral process agreed to the fact that no nation can elect credible leaders or experience good governance where the process of electing its leaders is marred with irregularities. People believe in electoral integrity – free, fair, impartial and transparent process for registering political parties and for conduct of elections.

“The objectives of this bill, first is to remove the registration and regulation of political parties from INEC and create an independent body or authority; office of the Registrar of political parties. This can create a body and is also for the registration and regulation of activities and operations of political parties.

“Consequently, clause 2- 5 of this bill makes provisions for registration of political parties. In accordance with the provisions of the bill, the Registrar of Political Parties shall oversee the registration of political parties mergers or political parties. Regulate the funding and use of political parties funds.

“Secondly, the bill seeks to establish Political Parties Dispute Tribunal which shall determine dispute between members of political parties… between independent candidate and a political party etc.”

A member of the House, Hon. Bob Solomon (PDP, Rivers) expressed reservation about the bill as it seeks to fabricate the functions of INEC while most of intendments were captured in the Constitution and Electoral Act and should be reconsidered but Speaker Abbas said such could be addressed at public hearing.