There seems to be confusion in the minds of some as to whether civil servants and public servants can be members of political parties. Some of the confusion is based on lack of knowledge, previously-wrong interpretation or political mischief. Let me explain in a short thread.
The Public Service Rules previously said that CIVIL servants (people that work in mainline Ministries) could not participate in politics because they are expected to be neutral. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution gives every Nigerian the right to free assembly...wait for it...
Section 40 of the Constitution says: “...and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party...”! So you see, a civil servant can even form a political party, talk less of belonging to one. The case of a political appointee is even more straightforward.
The Supreme Court affirmed the Constitutional right of civil servants to form or belong to political parties here: allafrica.com/stories/200301…. It struck down the offending section of the Public Service Rules. Of course, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
Finally, a civil servant is expected to be politically neutral IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS. This expectation does not rob them of their constitutional right to free assembly, and to belong to, participate in OR EVEN FORM A POLITICAL PARTY. Hope it’s clear now. End!
One more thing: the full judgment of the Supreme Court in INEC v Balarabe Musa (2003) confirming the rights of civil servants to belong to, participate in, and even form political parties is here: ilaw.com.ng/independent-na…
