Nigeria’s Political Parties Now 19 – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the Youth Party (YP) as the 19th political party in Nigeria.

The decision to recognise the new party, according to the national commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, followed the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the deregistration of the Youth Party as a political party.

Recall that INEC in 2020 deregistered about 74 political parties that failed to meet established criteria. The Youth Party was affected by INEC’s decision at the time but later went to court to challenge the commission’s action.

The Youth Party was registered on August 16, 2018 by virtue of the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on October 16, 2017.

Okoye in a statement yesterday, said: “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 Youth Party 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, INEC said 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.