INEC bows to pressure, recognises Youth Party

The Independent National Electoral Commission has bowed to pressure and finally recognised the Youth Party as a registered political party in Nigeria.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye, in a statement on Thursday, said the commission recognised the Youth Party following an order by the Supreme Court.

INEC had moved to deregister some political parties in the build-up of the 2023 general elections, and the YP was among the parties marked for deregistration.

Not satisfied with the commission’s decision, the YP, which was registered with INEC on August 18, 2018, approached the Federal High Court and secured an order restraining the electoral umpire from deregistering it.

INEC appealed the Federal High Court judgment and the appellate court set aside the order restraining the commission from deregistering the YP.

“On further appeal by the party, the Supreme Court set aside the deregistration of the party.

“Based on the judgment of the Supreme Court, the commission interfaced with officials of the Youth Party on the modalities for its operation based on the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the regulations and guidelines of the commission.

“Consequently, the commission has recognised the Youth Party as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria,” the statement partly read.