In response to demand, the Independent National Electoral Commission has officially acknowledged the Youth Party as a legitimate political party in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday, Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission has recognized the Youth Party as a result of a Supreme Court directive.
Recall that In preparation for the general elections in 2023, INEC took action to de-register various political parties, and the YP was one of such parties.
The YP, which was registered with INEC on August 18, 2018, appealed to the Federal High Court after being dissatisfied with the commission’s decision, and it was granted an injunction preventing the electoral umpire from deregistering it.
The ruling preventing INEC from deregistering the YP was overturned by the appellate court after INEC challenged the Federal High Court decision.
“After the party filed a second appeal, the Supreme Court overturned the deregistration of the party.
“In accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling, the commission spoke with representatives of the Youth Party about the ways in which it may operate in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the commission’s rules and regulations.
The announcement partially said, “Therefore, the commission has recognized the Youth Party as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria.”
SOURCE: Punch
iMAGE: Youth Party
