FIVE days after his political party,
FRESH Democratic Party, was deregistered by the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), Rev. Chris Okotie, yesterday approached a Federal High
Court, sitting in Abuja, asking it to determine whether the electoral body's
'unfeterred' powers to axe political parties, was not a breach of sections 14,
15 (20) and (3) (d) and 17 (10) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Besides, the party is asking the court to determine whether INEC, as established under Section 153 of the Constitution was duty bound to deregister political parties without recourse to Sections 221 to 229 as enshrined in the Constitution.
FRESH Party was one of the 28 political parties deregistered last week by INEC on the ground that the affected parties had merely warmed its register for close to a decade following their periodic elections participation with nothing to show for it.
The Commission had insisted that the affected parties remain deregistered as it was obvious that nothing could make them compete impressively at future polls, describing them as mushroom parties.
Although INEC had justified their removal from its register as its decision had the backings of the National Assembly and the Federal Government, Okotie and Adefela Binutu described INEC's power to axe their party on the grounds of ''unimpressive performance'' as a violation of Sections 14 and 15 of the 1999 Constitution.
Specifically, Okotie and Binutu, both leaders of the party, had told the court that the platform has the right to exist and canvass for votes, hence, it enjoys the backings of the Constitution to exist as relate to the preamble to the 1999 Constitution, good governance, welfare of all persons, freedom, equality, justice and above all, the principle of democracy, franchise and social justice.
However, the duo of Okotie and Binutu asked the court for an injunctive order, barring INEC from any attempt to implement or enforce ''the so-called de-registration order'' pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
They also asked the court to compel INEC to restore the party to its original status before the contentious deregistration.
Sued alongside INEC are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Assembly and the Inspector General of Police.
No date has been fixed for hearing.
Meanwhile, Okotie declared yesterday that he would contest the 2015 presidential election.
He addressed a crowded press conference in his office in Lagos before the commencement of the love feast, GRACE 2012, hosted by his Household of God Church.
Okotie said that the deregistering would not affect his presidential ambition or the fortunes of his party in other polls.
The pastor-politician criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration for trying to silence the voice of the opposition.
He questioned the independence of INEC, saying it would be difficult for the leadership of the commission to resist the pressure of the ruling party whose agenda is to perpetuate itself in power by castrating the vibrant opposition forces like FRESH.
He said he expected the INEC action and was not perturbed, adding that he remained steadfast in his commitment to promote good governance and a paradigm shift in the political configuration of the nation, whether the governing cabal likes it or not.
Besides, the party is asking the court to determine whether INEC, as established under Section 153 of the Constitution was duty bound to deregister political parties without recourse to Sections 221 to 229 as enshrined in the Constitution.
FRESH Party was one of the 28 political parties deregistered last week by INEC on the ground that the affected parties had merely warmed its register for close to a decade following their periodic elections participation with nothing to show for it.
The Commission had insisted that the affected parties remain deregistered as it was obvious that nothing could make them compete impressively at future polls, describing them as mushroom parties.
Although INEC had justified their removal from its register as its decision had the backings of the National Assembly and the Federal Government, Okotie and Adefela Binutu described INEC's power to axe their party on the grounds of ''unimpressive performance'' as a violation of Sections 14 and 15 of the 1999 Constitution.
Specifically, Okotie and Binutu, both leaders of the party, had told the court that the platform has the right to exist and canvass for votes, hence, it enjoys the backings of the Constitution to exist as relate to the preamble to the 1999 Constitution, good governance, welfare of all persons, freedom, equality, justice and above all, the principle of democracy, franchise and social justice.
However, the duo of Okotie and Binutu asked the court for an injunctive order, barring INEC from any attempt to implement or enforce ''the so-called de-registration order'' pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
They also asked the court to compel INEC to restore the party to its original status before the contentious deregistration.
Sued alongside INEC are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Assembly and the Inspector General of Police.
No date has been fixed for hearing.
Meanwhile, Okotie declared yesterday that he would contest the 2015 presidential election.
He addressed a crowded press conference in his office in Lagos before the commencement of the love feast, GRACE 2012, hosted by his Household of God Church.
Okotie said that the deregistering would not affect his presidential ambition or the fortunes of his party in other polls.
The pastor-politician criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration for trying to silence the voice of the opposition.
He questioned the independence of INEC, saying it would be difficult for the leadership of the commission to resist the pressure of the ruling party whose agenda is to perpetuate itself in power by castrating the vibrant opposition forces like FRESH.
He said he expected the INEC action and was not perturbed, adding that he remained steadfast in his commitment to promote good governance and a paradigm shift in the political configuration of the nation, whether the governing cabal likes it or not.
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