INEC can deregister parties – Court

The Independent National Electoral Commission can deregister parties, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ruled.
Justice Okon Abang said INEC must regulate the activities of political parties in order to ensure they meet the expectations of Nigerians.
Ruling in a suit filed by the National Conscience Party challenging the power of INEC to deregister political parties in Nigeria, Abang said the de-registration of political parties by the Commission was in line with the provisions of the laws setting it up.
The NCP had gone to the court to challenge the provisions of Section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act 2010, which empowers INEC to deregister political parties that do not win presidential, governorship or at least a seat in the National or State House of Assembly election.