…warns against move to deregister opposition parties

A fresh political controversy erupted on Monday after the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, accused operatives of the Imo State Police Command of abducting and torturing his constituents in an alleged bid to implicate him in criminal activities, including terrorism, gun-running and murder.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, he alleged that officers attached to the controversial Tiger Base/Violent Crime Response Unit had turned the police into what he described as “a private army and slave camp where opponents of the state government are tortured and framed.”

Ugochinyere claimed that several of his constituents had been abducted and subjected to torture, with one allegedly losing his life in custody, as part of attempts to fabricate criminal allegations against him ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Flanked by one of the mothers of the victims, he claimed: “Imo police are abducting my constituents and torturing them in a bid to frame me for frivolous criminal allegations, terrorism, gun-running and murder,” he alleged.

“They are creating fear and uncertainty in Imo State and attempting to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the elections.”

The lawmaker called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to urgently investigate the activities of officers attached to the unit, particularly the alleged role of some security operatives and aides linked to the Imo State Government.

He also alleged that some political actors were orchestrating judicial moves aimed at deregistering opposition political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party and the Zenith Labour Party, ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the alleged move was designed to weaken opposition participation and prevent credible challengers from contesting future elections.

Describing the development as “an invitation to anarchy,” Ugochinyere warned that attempts to wipe opposition parties off the ballot through the courts could destabilise the country’s democracy.

“What kind of anarchy do you want this country to go through?” he asked.

“You cannot deregister political parties a few months to elections and expect Nigerians to fold their arms. You are playing with fire.”

The lawmaker argued that the Nigerian Constitution clearly protects political parties that have won elective positions from deregistration.

Citing Section 225A of the Constitution, he maintained that parties such as ADC, Accord and APP had already satisfied constitutional requirements by winning elective offices, including councillorship seats.

“The Constitution is clear. Once a party wins even one councillorship seat, deregistration does not arise,” he stated.

Ugochinyere further praised the Court of Appeal for granting a stay of proceedings in the suit seeking the deregistration of opposition parties.

He commended Justices Banjoko, Danjuma and Onyewunmi for suspending further action in the matter involving a judgment by Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court.

The lawmaker also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission not to challenge a recent Federal High Court judgment relating to aspects of the electoral timetable, warning that any appeal could heighten political tension and create uncertainty ahead of the elections.

He praised Justice M.G. Umar for what he described as a courageous interpretation of the Constitution capable of promoting wider political participation.

“The country cannot afford confusion at this critical moment,” he warned.

“Appealing this judgment will create tension, uncertainty and doubts about the credibility of the elections.”

Ugochinyere appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council and security agencies to protect democratic institutions from political manipulation.

“Democracy is about participation, not exclusion,” he said.

“You don’t claim to be popular while running around disqualifying opponents, deregistering parties and framing critics with criminal allegations.” (Guardian)

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