CROSS-CARPETING AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999 (AS AMENDED): IMPERATIVE FOR LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Political Parties are very essential institutions of the democratic system. They are organs of Political discussionand of formation of ideas, policies and programs under the Constitution. The plurality of political issues promotesthe formation of competing ideas and genuinely provides the citizens with a choice of forum for participation ingovernance, whether as a member of a political party in government or of a party in opposition, thereby ensuringthe reality of government by discussion which democracy is all about in the final analyses. Section 40 of theConstitution provides that, every person shall be assemble freely and associate with other persons, and inparticular, may form or belong to any Political party , trade union or any other association for the protection ofhis interest; provided that the provisions of the section shall not derogate from the powers conferred by thisConstitution on the Independent National Electoral Commission with respect to Political Parties to which thatCommission does not accord recognition.1 Nevertheless, with the current trend of cross carpeting being enactedin Nigerian political landscape, principles, scruples ideology and the like have all been jettisoned for greed, selfinterestand opportunisms.2