- Atiku, Obi Fault Bill to Strip INEC of Party Registration Powers.
- Supporters say stripping INEC’s powers will improve efficiency and transparency.
- Bill under constitutional review as debate splits political leaders and groups
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi have rejected a bill before the House of Representatives seeking to create a Political Parties Registration and Regulation Commission (PPRRC).
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the proposed body would take over the registration, regulation, and monitoring of political parties, functions currently handled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Marcus Onobun, aims to “reduce INEC’s burden” and ensure transparency in party operations.
However, Atiku, speaking through his aide Paul Ibe, warned that establishing a new agency would further strain Nigeria’s economy.
He suggested empowering existing institutions, like the National Identity Management Commission, to handle such functions, adding that Nigeria needs “a well-structured INEC, not another bureaucracy.”
Obi, represented by Obidient Movement coordinator Tanko Yunusa, argued that party registration is a core duty of INEC and called for reforms based on the Justice Uwais Electoral Report, which proposed enforcement and monitoring commissions instead of stripping INEC’s powers entirely.
Despite opposition from both men, several groups support the bill. APC spokesman Bala Ibrahim said it would “unburden INEC” and make party registration easier, while Labour Party’s publicity secretary Obiorah Ifoh backed the “unbundling of INEC” to strengthen democracy.
YIAGA Africa, the Coalition of United Political Parties, and the Young Progressives Party also endorsed the move, citing international best practices and the need for efficiency.
The bill is currently under review by the House Constitution Review Committee.
