The Youth Party (YP) has been officially recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the nation’s 19th political party.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, made this known in a statement on Thursday(today), 20th July, 2023 that the commission’s meeting led to the decision.
Recall that the Federal High Court’s decision, which was rendered on October 16, 2017, allowed for the YP to be registered on August 16, 2018, which happened on that date.
However, the Youth Party petitioned the Federal High Court and obtained an order preventing the commission from deregistering it in response to the INEC decision to deregister some parties in accordance with the nation’s constitution.
On appeal by the commission, the Court of Appeal set aside the order of the Federal High Court, and on further appeal by the party, the Supreme Court set aside the deregistration of the party.
Based on the judgement 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.
However, the commission, during its meeting, finally recognised the party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria.
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