A civil society coalition, Nigeria Democratic Rights Advocacy (NDRA), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently investigate alleged violations of the Electoral Act involving a senior legal practitioner reportedly holding executive positions in two political parties simultaneously.
The group raised the alarm in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, alleging inconsistencies in party records showing Barr. Reuben Egwuaba as National Legal Adviser of both the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with one of the listings said to be “by court order.”
According to the coalition, the development raises serious questions about compliance with Section 77 of the amended Electoral Act, which prohibits dual membership of political parties.
The statement, signed by NDRA’s General Secretary, Julius Aondowase, described the situation as a “legal contradiction with far-reaching implications” for Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
“By virtue of the amended electoral provisions—particularly Section 77—belonging to more than one political party at the same time is expressly prohibited. The law is clear and uncompromising,” the group stated.
It warned that any breach attracts penalties of up to ₦10 million fine or a two-year jail term, stressing that the office of National Legal Adviser is a key position within a party’s National Executive Committee and requires exclusive membership.
“The position is not symbolic. Occupying it in two political parties simultaneously is not only improper but constitutes prima facie evidence of dual membership and a potential criminal offence,” NDRA added.
The coalition urged INEC and other relevant authorities to immediately verify the records and take appropriate enforcement action, insisting that political parties must not become “safe havens for legal contradictions.”
Reacting to the development, INEC, through its Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, said preliminary findings indicated that the affected individual had already resigned from APM and was now a member of NDC.
He, however, noted that administrative updates were still required to reflect the change on the commission’s records.
“My inquiry revealed that he has already resigned from APM, which means he is of NDC. It’s likely APM has not formally communicated the commission. However, the needful will be done to update the portal,” Ifogah said.
INEC assured that it would ensure proper documentation and compliance with party registration records in line with existing regulations.
The Allied Peoples Movement and Nigeria Democratic Congress have yet to issue official statements on the matter as of press time.
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