Fresh controversy is building within the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) following allegations of dual party membership against a top official.
The situation has triggered legal concerns and raised fresh questions about compliance with Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Barrister Reuben Egwuaba, who currently serves as National Legal Adviser, is at the centre of the unfolding issue.
Documents reviewed over the weekend show that he is listed as holding the same position in both parties. Records obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appear to confirm this development.
Further checks on the commission’s official portal indicate that Egwuaba’s name appears in the leadership structure of both political parties.
A civil rights activist, Julius Aondowase, reacted strongly to the development in a statement issued on Sunday. He dismissed suggestions that the situation could be a simple administrative error. According to him, the implications are far more serious.
“By virtue of the amended electoral provisions, particularly the modification of Section 77, belonging to more than one political party at the same time is expressly prohibited. The law is clear and uncompromising: any individual found guilty of dual party membership is liable to a fine of up to ₦10 million and or a prison term of up to two years.
“The position of National Legal Adviser is not symbolic; it is a core office within a party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which requires full and exclusive membership of that party. Therefore, occupying this role in both the APM and NDC simultaneously is not only politically improper. It constitutes prima facie evidence of dual membership and a potential criminal offence under Nigerian law.
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“This situation demands urgent clarification from all parties involved. If these records are accurate, then this is a clear violation of the law. If they are not, then the public deserves an immediate correction and explanation as to how such conflicting information came to be officially documented.
“Therefore, I call on relevant authorities, including electoral regulators, to investigate this matter without delay and take appropriate action in line with the law.
“Nigeria’s democracy must be governed by rules, not convenience,” he said.