NCP Calls On Nigerians To Rally At Lagos Appeal Court Over Party’s Deregistration | Sahara Reporters

The appeal, marked CA/LAG/CV/880/22, involves the NCP and others as appellants against the Attorney-General of the Federation and others.

The National Conscience Party (NCP) has called on Nigerians, human rights activists, lawyers, civil society organisations, students, workers and supporters of the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, to attend its appeal hearing at the Court of Appeal in Lagos on September 16, 2026.

The appeal, marked CA/LAG/CV/880/22, involves the NCP and others as appellants against the Attorney-General of the Federation and others.

In a statement issued ahead of the hearing, on Thursday, the party urged supporters to rally at Court 1 of the Court of Appeal, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, describing the mobilisation as an act of solidarity rather than an attempt to influence or prejudge the court.

“We will not discuss the merits of the case. This is a call for solidarity — not to prejudge the court,” the statement said.

The NCP linked the case to Fawehinmi’s long-standing advocacy for democracy, human rights and freedom of association.

The NCP, founded in 1994 by Fawehinmi in defiance of military rule, emphasized that the upcoming court session represents a critical juncture for Nigeria’s political space and popular participation.

“Gani taught us that there can be no democracy without strict and rigid observance of the right to fully enjoy freedom of association. He warned that any society that denies free association is a slave society that will collapse,” the statement read.

The party argued that the preservation of political pluralism and freedom of association remained critical to Nigeria’s democratic development.

According to the statement, the NCP’s struggle extends beyond the party itself and concerns the broader issues of political participation, the right to organise and the ability of citizens to choose among political alternatives.

“The political space we enjoy was not given freely. It was fought for; it was paid for with sacrifice; it must be defended. When political space is closed, democracy dies. When alternatives disappear, the people lose their voice,” the party added, urging Fawehinmi’s followers not merely to eulogize the late activist but to actively defend his democratic legacy.

The party also called for financial, legal, media, logistics, research and material support for its campaign, stressing that “every contribution counts” and “every voice counts.”

It urged participants to attend the court proceedings peacefully and lawfully.

“The court will judge the case. The people must defend the principle,” the statement said.

The party concluded its appeal with a call to supporters to remember Fawehinmi by continuing the causes he championed, including democracy, freedom of association and the defence of the rights of ordinary Nigerians.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

The legal tussle stems from the controversial 2020 decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register the NCP alongside 73 other political parties for failing to win any elective seats during the 2019 general elections.

The NCP and several affected political parties subsequently approached the courts to challenge the constitutionality of INEC’s action, arguing that the deregistration violated fundamental rights to freedom of association guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).