Delta LG polls under threat as 48 political parties head to court

Forty-eight political parties in Delta State led by All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) and New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGPN) have filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Asaba, praying the court to compel the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSEIC) to include them in the March 6, 2021, Local Government Election.

This move by the political parties has now raised concern about the possibility of the council polls holding on the scheduled should the court rule their favour.

In suit No.FHC/ASB/CC/19/2021 filed on February 19, 2021, at the Federal High Court, Asaba, the applicants are seeking an order of mandamus to compel the Delta State Electoral Commission (DSEIC) to comply with the judgement of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Appeal CA/ABJ/CV/507/2029 Advanced Congress of Democrats & 21Ors. V Attorney General of the Federation & 1Or and include the political parties in the list of political parties to contest the Local Government Election slated for March 6, 2021, and such Order or further Order(s) that the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

The Applicants are aggrieved that DSEIC wilfully disregarded the Judgement of the Court of Appeal by refusing to include them in the Local Government Election even notifying the electoral umpire in writing and attached the Judgement of the Court of Appeal.

They avow that the Court of Appeal judgement declared the de-registration of their parties as illegal and ordered the relisting of their parties by INEC.

They reiterated that persistent reminder to DSEIC for their inclusion in its meetings, activities and programmes which the Commission held with other Political Parties were rebuffed.

DSEIC according to them completely shut them out unlawfully hence they are seeking redress in court.

Chairman of AGAP, Prince Alex Oyoro said, “The relief sought by the Political Parties in the Federal High Court is to deepen our democracy because to disobey a Judgement of Court is worst than banditry, kidnapping and insurgency.”