₦airaland Forum

A civil society organisation, Nigeria Democratic Rights Advocacy, has raised concerns over an alleged violation of provisions of the Electoral Act prohibiting dual membership of political parties.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the group alleged that official records of the Allied Peoples Movement and the Nigeria Democratic Congress listed Barrister Reuben Egwuaba as National Legal Adviser in both parties.

According to the group, one of the listings was reportedly entered “by court order,” a development it described as a serious legal contradiction with far-reaching implications.

The statement, signed by the group’s General Secretary, Julius Aondowase, argued that the matter goes beyond a mere clerical error and raises questions about compliance with the amended Electoral Act.

“By virtue of the amended electoral provisions—particularly the modification of Section 77—belonging to more than one political party at the same time is expressly prohibited,” the statement said.

The group noted that the law prescribes penalties, including a fine of up to ₦10 million or imprisonment for up to two years, for individuals found guilty of dual party membership.

According to the statement, the office of National Legal Adviser is a key position within a party’s National Executive Committee and requires exclusive membership of the political party concerned.

“The position of National Legal Adviser is not symbolic; it is a core office within a party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which requires full and exclusive membership of that party,” the group stated.

“Therefore, occupying this role in both the APM and NDC simultaneously is not only politically improper—it constitutes prima facie evidence of dual membership and a potential criminal offence under Nigerian law.”

The organisation called for immediate clarification from the parties and the individual involved, insisting that the public deserves transparency if the records are inaccurate.



“If these records are accurate, then this is a clear violation of the law. If they are not, then the public deserves an immediate correction and explanation as to how such conflicting information came to be officially documented,” the statement added.



The group further urged relevant authorities, including electoral regulators, to investigate the matter and take appropriate action in line with the law.



“Political parties must not become safe havens for legal contradictions. The rule of law must be upheld without exception,” the statement said.

“Nigeria’s democracy must be governed by rules—not convenience.”

floss:
This clearly shows that only Tulumbu and Inec knew that obi won in 2023 without having one single structure… because I don’t understand all this fear from an incumbent party and the agents Inec ….
….

aswani:
Stop it, Peter Obi came a respectable third, something he wil repeat again this time round, he did not win any elections.

I wonder if Peter Obi knew NDC too have existing legal issues, as you can tell from the INEC portal, in going there so that when katakata bursts, he will crank up the volume on his victimhood claim?

Why didn't he just register his own party straight after the elections in 2023 sef?

Anyway, I am intrigued by this movement withim a party situation, never worked in LP or ADC, why would it work here?

gare:
Which legal issues?

aswani:
Go to INEC's website to confirm and then Google to see that there is a court order hanging over the head of their elected officials.

gare:
Why must I go to Google or INEC website to confirm, you mentioned it so confirm state it here or stop spreading rumors. A new party of formed less than 3 months is having legal issues as how .

press9jatv:
Breaking: Legitimacy of NDC Registration Faces Legal Challenge

The emergence of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), reportedly under Seriake Dickson, has allegedly sparked a direct confrontation with the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which is now preparing legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). What should have been a routine administrative procedure has escalated into a critical test of the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

Dr. Umar Ardo has voiced a blunt claim: a party that allegedly did not apply, was not shortlisted, and did not undergo verification has somehow obtained a registration certificate. If even partially true, this represents more than a procedural lapse—it suggests a structural breach.

According to the timeline ADA presents, out of 171 associations, INEC shortlisted 14, with only eight advancing to verification. ADA maintains that they followed all rules, attended the required stages, yet were excluded.

Meanwhile, the NDC, they assert, was absent from this process entirely.

INEC’s defense—that the registration was issued under a court order—is now under intense scrutiny. Court orders require proper filings, representation, and justification. If any of these elements are missing or unclear, both the process and its outcome risk being questioned.

This issue is larger than a dispute between two parties. It goes to the heart of process integrity. If political registration can be altered outside transparent procedures, the gatekeeping role of INEC—and public trust in it—comes under threat.

ADA’s move to obtain Certified True Copies from the Federal High Court in Lokoja indicates that this matter will not be quietly resolved. It is heading toward a legal and public accountability test.

There are only two possible outcomes: either the process is validated with clear, verifiable evidence, or it collapses under scrutiny. There is no compromise that preserves credibility in between.

This is not merely about one party’s registration. It is a direct challenge to the rules governing political participation. If those rules are seen as flexible for some and rigid for others, the implications extend far beyond this case—striking at the very foundation of electoral justice in Nigeria.

aswani:
This Peter Obí knows how to make wrong decisions sha. Why go to a Party with legal issues when leaving one with legal issues that you went to after leaving one with legal issues.

Yoruba people call it afiṣe!

aswani:
It's all over Nairaland so no rumours there.

I know your type, especially as an Obidient that you are, the more I present information, the more ridiculous questions you will ask. Not going down that road with you.

SeeWahala:
Hehehe 🤭

I said it . . . , that after every 2nd post you must mention Peter Obi 🤗

Your chains have started to tighten your APC followership is now making you pull your mask off 😷

Adexvivacity:
The madman that has been advising Obi needs iOS upgrading.... the Werey still dey iOS 18 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

aswani:
I referenced NDC, LP and ADC in passing, not one mention of APC, why are you mentioning APC?

This is why I let your posts drift in tumbleweed, I was hoping your ban would reset your medulla oblangata, you need to focus on posts you are responding to.

Once more, di persin wey do you dis, showers of curses shall rain down on them.

gare:
so NDC has a court case and you confirmed it from Nairaland, you need to wake up guy, mind you i am not an Obedient, because of your shallow way of thinking anyone not in support of the present government is an obedient, but it would shock you guys that there a lot of people not in support

gare:
so NDC has a court case and you confirmed it from Nairaland, you need to wake up guy, mind you i am not an Obedient, because of your shallow way of thinking anyone not in support of the present government is an obedient, but it would shock you guys that there a lot of people not in support

esnbrutality:
Leave Peter obi...this guy.

Which level sef?

aswani:
You too, tell Peter Obi to either quit politics or stop talking cho cho cho about stuff publicly.
He wants to be my President, jumping from party to party like a frog, and I shouldn't talk about him, you go wait tìre.
Just to make it (exceedingly) clear, I shall continue to exercise my inalienable right to have an opinion on him and his activities.
Who nor like am, make dem bend!

aswani:
You too, tell Peter Obi to either quit politics or stop talking cho cho cho about stuff publicly.

He wants to be my President, [b]jumping from party to party like a frog, [/b]and I shouldn't talk about him, you go wait tìre.

Just to make it (exceedingly) clear, I shall continue to exercise my inalienable right to have an opinion on him and his activities.

Who nor like am, make dem bend!

aswani:
Apologies for calling you an Obidient, the worst label ever that can be falsely ascribed to someone.

I didn't say I confirmed the court case on Nairaland, please read what I said, I said it's been referenced on here and I urged you to Google for further information.

It will shock you to know I am not an APC or President Tinubu supporter either, I do not have a fondness for Obidients though. Me and dem, ńa for here we go all kpai.

esnbrutality:
You wey don kpai already

Validated:
NDC has no court cases, what INEC referred to was a case that preceded 2025. INEC is not foolish while referencing Court case because NDC sued INEC and won.