By: Anayo Akwitti
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has dismissed media reports claiming that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party for failing to win a seat in the last election.
The party’s leadership described the reports as a “false narrative” and alleged that due process was not followed in the decision that allegedly led to the proposed deregistration.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, ZLP National Chairman Dan Nwanyanwu insisted that the constitutional requirement for a political party to remain registered is the ability to win at least a councillorship seat.
He presented certificates of return belonging to party members who, according to him, won elections at the local government level.
Nwanyanwu explained that the party won elections in 15 local government areas and more than 100 wards nationwide, adding that the reports were aimed at discouraging new supporters from joining the party.
“The intention is one: let those in crisis-ridden parties not come to ZLP, and it will also scare people away,” he said.
He also questioned attempts to “demarket” opposition parties, including the ZLP, which he claimed played a role in stabilising the electoral process that brought the current administration into power.
Nwanyanwu maintained that the party remains stable and urged political aspirants to take advantage of what he described as internal peace within its structure. He further demanded an apology from the Attorney General’s office over what he called a “wrong impression” about the party’s status.
“For you to say Zenith Labour Party did not win anything when INEC registered them—what kind of lie is that? It is a lie on oath. They must apologise,” he said.
On the controversy surrounding the revised Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate Standing Rules, which disrupted proceedings on Wednesday, Nwanyanwu said the party would seek legal redress.
The amended rules restrict senators with prior experience in the 9th Senate from contesting elective positions in the 11th Senate.
