House OF Reps Moves To Strip INEC of Power To Register, Regulate Political Parties

During Thursday’s plenary debate, Onobun argued that the bill would improve transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system by allowing INEC to focus solely on conducting elections.

“No country can elect credible leaders or achieve good governance if the process is riddled with irregularities,” Onobun stated.

He noted that many Nigerians blame INEC—rightly or wrongly—for election malpractices and believe that ensuring a free, fair, and impartial registration process for political parties is key to election integrity.

“In a nation of over 200 million people, INEC is overburdened with the task of registering and regulating political parties while also conducting multiple elections at different levels,” he added.

New Political Party Authority Proposed

The bill proposes the creation of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, which would be responsible for registering and monitoring political parties, overseeing party funding, enforcing regulations, and ensuring compliance with constitutional and statutory provisions.

Additionally, it calls for the establishment of a Political Party Disputes Tribunal to resolve internal conflicts, reducing the pressure on conventional courts.

To enhance discipline within the political space, the bill introduces penalties for political parties and members who fail to comply with statutory regulations.

“The credibility and stability of any democracy depend on the effective regulation of political parties,” Onobun stressed. “If we want to safeguard our democracy, the time for action is now.”