Eminent Nigerians have lauded the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister seventy-four (74) political parties.

The personalities who cut across academia, judiciary and politics bared their minds with Radio Nigeria staff reporter, Adedayo Adelowo in Ibadan.

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmud Yakub while announcing the development said the commission carried out a thorough review of the performances of political parties after the 2019 general elections to see which of them qualified to exist, hence the de-registration of the 74 parties leaving 18. 

Speaking on the development, an associate professor of Political Science, at the University of Ilorin and Chief of Staff to former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Abiola Ajimobi, Professor Gbade Ojo said proliferation of political parties was already a threat to the nation’s democracy, with reference to clumsiness in 2019 voters’ register, hence the justification for the review. 

Also lauding the development, former Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae maintained that political parties without significant achievements in previous elections were not meant to remain in the system. 

Professor Osaghae, however, expressed worry that de-listing of up to 74 parties was a signal that INEC also needed to review its processes.

From a legal perspective, Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN, who acknowledged that proliferation of parties was making political system cumbersome, called for a holistic review of the electoral act to affirm the power of INEC.

A politician, Alhaji Bashir Akanbi said it was a development everybody should embrace, with a call on INEC not to rescind the decision.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Mr. Mutiu Agboke affirmed that the decision of the commission was irreversible, saying any party who felt its rights had been violated should approach the court.

Adedayo Adelowo

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