The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will approach the Supreme Court to seek final clarifications concerning its powers to deregister political parties.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had on Monday overturned a Federal High Court ruling which affirmed the de-registration of 74 political parties by INEC.
The Court of Appeal held that INEC failed to follow due process while deregistering the parties.
The appellate court therefore declared that the deregistration was illegal and ordered INEC to relist the 74 parties.
However, reacting to the development in a statement issued by its spokesman, Festus Okoye, INEC said it will seek the verdict of the Supreme Court on the matter.
“The Commission is faced with two conflicting judgements from the Court of Appeal; one affirming the powers of the Commission to deregister political parties and the other setting aside the deregistration of ACD & 22 others.
“Faced with two conflicting judgements from the same Court, the Commission is not in a position to pick and choose which one of them to obey.
“Consequently, the Commission will approach the Supreme Court for a final resolution of the issues raised in the two conflicting judgements.
The deregistered parties are not included among those to participate in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections scheduled to hold on September 19 and October 10 respectively.
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