The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recently announced the official registration of a new political party in Nigeria, the Youth Party (YP).
Confirming the registration, Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, issued a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
The addition of the Youth Party (YP) brings the total number of registered political parties in the country to 19. This development follows the deregistration of 74 political parties by INEC on 6th February 2020 due to their poor performance in the 2019 general elections and subsequent re-run elections across the nation.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, highlighted the Fourth Alteration to Section 225(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the commission to both register and deregister political parties.
The Youth Party (YP) initially secured its registration on 16th August 2018 through a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on 16th October 2017. However, INEC’s decision to deregister some parties under the provisions of Section 225A of the amended 1999 Constitution led the Youth Party to approach the Federal High Court, obtaining an Order that prevented its deregistration.
In response, INEC appealed the Federal High Court’s Order, which the Court of Appeal later set aside. Subsequently, the party itself appealed, and the Supreme Court overturned the deregistration, leading to its official recognition.
In light of the Supreme Court’s judgment, INEC engaged in discussions with Youth Party (YP) officials to ensure compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines.
“As a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the commission acknowledges the Youth Party (YP) as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria, granting it all the rights and privileges afforded to political parties in the country,” stated Festus Okoye.
This development opens up new opportunities for the Youth Party (YP) to actively participate in Nigeria’s political landscape and contribute to the nation’s democratic progress.