Africa People?s Congress (APC) says it is ready for judicial review of INEC’s decision not to register the political association, its Acting Chairman, Chief Onyinye Ikeagwuonu, has said.
“Toward this end, the association has raised a 20-man legal team, led by a senior Advocate to pursue its objective,” he said on Thursday at the association?s world press conference in Abuja
Ikeagwuonu said the team would move out from Abuja on Friday for Obudu on a 10-day seclusion, to enable members have ?in-depth consideration of the association?s legal action.?
He described the decision as ?illegal and premeditated?, adding that APC fulfilled constitutional requirements for registration.
?APC wish to announce and declare our resolve to challenge this flimsy decision in court as provided in section 79 of the Electoral Act, ?he said.
According to Ikeagwuonu, Section 97 of the Electoral Act states that the decision of the commission (INEC) not to register any association as a political party may be challenged in a court of law.
The Act adds that ?any legal action challenging the decision of the commission shall be commenced within 30 days from the date of receipt of the letter of notification of non registration from the commission.
?We shall jealously guard and defend this process until justice is done.
?By the provisions of the section 79 of the electoral Act, judicial review of INEC decision not to register a political association is the final stage in the process of political party registration.?
Ikeagwuonu said that INEC had no right to register any other political party in the association?s name, acronym, symbol or logo, till the matter was finally disposed of by the court.
The acting chairman stated that the association had officially written to the INEC National Chairman, a letter of its intention to seek judiciary review.
He added that copies were also sent to INEC National Secretary, Political Party Department and Legal Department, pointing out that all those concerned had received and acknowledged the letter.
