CUPP says court reversal of deregistration of 22 parties is victory for democracy

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described Monday”s judgement of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which set aside the deregistration of twenty-two political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as a victory for democracy and a giant step forward in consolidating the nation’s constitutional governance.
The CUPP stated that the landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal has further reinforced Nigerians confidence in the judiciary, rule of law and due process.
The coalition said this in a statement yesterday by its
Chairman, Contact and Mobilization and Member, Steering Committee, Rev. Olusegun Peters in Abuja.
The judgement, the CUPP said, has proved that the judiciary is indeed the last hope of all aggrieved people in the quest for a strong, virile, progressive and egalitarian democratic nation.
The statement reads, “The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) congratulates its members among the 22 political parties that the Court of Appeal Abuja set aside their deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday 10th August 2020.
“It is victory for democracy and a giant step forward in consolidating the nation’s constitutional governance.
“The landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal has further reinforced Nigerians confidence in the judiciary, rule of law and due process.
“It has proved that the judiciary is indeed the last hope of all aggrieved people in the quest for a strong, virile, progressive and egalitarian democratic nation.
“It is obvious that INEC erred by hastily deregistering political parties in flagrant violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the Electoral Act as amended.
“Nigeria is a nation governed by the rule of law, not rule of might that breeds dictatorship and autocracy.
“With this judgment of the Court of Appeal, affected political parties look forward to participating in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
“The judgment is sweet music in the ears of all lovers of democracy in Nigeria.
“Nigerians demand widening of the political horizon not stifling it results to do-or-die politics as being witnessed in Edo State governorship poll.
“CUPP will continue to champion good governance, social justice and restoration of genuine democracy in Nigeria. It is a task that must be done in the interest of the nation. We are all in it together”, it said.