*YP gets back rights, privileges
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the Youth Party (YP) as a political party in Nigeria.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said, “The Commission has recognised the YP as the 19th political party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria”.
Okoye, who spoke in a statement on Thursday, said, “Based on the judgement of the Supreme Court, the Commission interfaced with officials of the YP on the modalities for its operation based on the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission”.
The INEC statement titled, ‘Recognition of YP by the commission’, signed by Okoye, reads: “The INEC met today, Thursday, 20th July 2023 and among other issues deliberated on the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the deregistration of the YP as a political party.
“It will be recalled that the YP was registered on 16th August 2018 by virtue of the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on 16th October 2017.
“Following the Commission’s decision to deregister some parties in accordance with Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the YP approached the Federal High Court and secured an Order restraining the Commission from deregistering it.
“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.
“Consequently, the Commission has recognised the Youth Party (YP) as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria,” it stated.
