“All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere bubble, except guaranteed to them by an ‘independent and virtuous’ Judiciary.” Andrew Jackson
The Daily Post headline “Court overturns judgment recognising NDC as political party” — is a reminder that party registration in Nigeria is still litigation-first, structure-later.
Judicial ping-pong hurts democracy: When INEC, lower courts, and appeal courts keep reversing each other on registration, new parties like the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, become legal projects instead of grassroots movements. Voters can’t plan. Candidates can’t campaign. By 2027, “we were in court” becomes the excuse for having no agents in 176,846 PUs.
“NDC” as a name and a peace-sign logo is easy. What’s hard is meeting Electoral Act 2022 requirements, national spread, offices in 2/3 of states and FCT, audited finances, and ward structures. Courts can’t manufacture that. If NDC was overturned on technical compliance, it exposes the same flaw that kills many new parties, branding before building.
The cost to the “contest of ideas,” Nigeria needs more credible alternatives, not fewer. But alternatives must earn ballot access with paperwork, not hashtags. Every overturned registration reinforces the duopoly and tells youth organizers: “join an old party or stay online.”
If the court found a defect, fix it and refile with receipts. If INEC overreached, appeal with structure. Democracy grows when parties arrive prepared, not just approved.
I am bewildered with this judicial “ping-pond but….
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