SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS DEREGISTRATION OF SPN
We are Undaunted as We Remain Committed to Struggle Against all Capitalist Attacks and for Working People’s Political Alternative on a Socialist Programme
Today, the Supreme Court set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal which had earlier reversed INEC’s deregistration of the SPN and 21 other parties. This was although INEC criminally disobeyed the appeal court judgement while it lasted.
We reject the judgement and will continue to fight for a truly democratic process that allows for the existence of parties of the workers and poor like ours. This includes working with others to campaign for the abrogation of Section 225A of the Constitution, which is undemocratic and gives the INEC power to be draconic. As far as we are concerned, the fate of a political party cannot be decided by performance in elections that are often characterised by massive rigging and manipulation by major ruling class parties – APC and PDP – with the connivance of the INEC itself.
However, while the judgement is a setback, we are not surprised by the decision of the Supreme Court as it represents the interest of the ruling elite not to allow a party of the working people and the poor especially the one like ours which boldly put forward a socialist alternative.
By the judgement of the apex court, it means our party is not legally recognized to participate in any electoral process including the 2023 elections. This is unfortunate as it will mean that the working people, youths and poor will be denied a genuine alternative electoral platform that represents their yearnings and aspirations in the 2023 elections. However, our party is not just an electoral machine but a party of struggles that intervenes in the immediate demands and daily struggles of working people, youth and the poor including against all anti-poor capitalist policies of the government at all levels.
So, we call on members and supporters not to be downcast by the current fate of the party. The SPN remains a party of struggle and we shall intensify our campaign for a mass working people’s party on a socialist programme, something we did even when the SPN had a legal recognition of the INEC. We shall remain active in every genuine process towards actualising the formation of such a party.
In the coming days, we will come up with a more comprehensive commentary on the judgement and the next steps for the party.
Abiodun Bamigboye
Acting National Chairperson
Chinedu Bosah
National Secretary
E-mail: [email protected]