Presidential candidate of
Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) in the 2011 general elections, Rev. Chris Okotie,
has sued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over the
de-registration of his party.
Okotie is challenging INEC’s December 6, 2012
decision de-registering FDP, on the basis of the party’s “failure to meet the
requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).”
Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) in the 2011 general elections, Rev. Chris Okotie,
has sued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over the
de-registration of his party.
Okotie is challenging INEC’s December 6, 2012
decision de-registering FDP, on the basis of the party’s “failure to meet the
requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).”
Cited as co-defendants are Attorney General of the
Federation, National Assembly and Inspector General of Police.
In an originating summons brought pursuant to
Order 3 Rule 9 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, the
plaintiff, through his counsel, Fred Agbaje, averred that INEC’s action in
de-registering FDP, is a violation of the 1999 constitution, especially “as it
relates to good governance, welfare of all persons, freedom, equality, justice
and above all, the principles of democracy, franchise and social justice.
Okokie is seeking, among others: “A declaration
that the first plaintiff has satisfied all the conditions and requirement of a
political party as stipulated under the Electoral Act 2010 and therefore is an
extant political party in Nigeria”.
Shortly after the matter was mentioned, the court
presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, adjourned to April 23, to enable
parties file and exchange processes.
Source: Daily
Independent
