The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its usual weekly meeting today and took decisions on the registration of new political parties, the findings on the allegation of double registration by the Governor of Kogi State and the outstanding Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election.
REGISTRATION OF NEW POLITICAL PARTIES
The following associations have fulfilled the Constitutional requirements for registration as political parties:
S/No.
|
Name of Political Party
|
Acronym
|
1.
|
All Blending Party
|
ABP
|
2.
|
All Grassroots Alliance
|
AGA
|
3.
|
Alliance for New Nigeria
|
ANN
|
4.
|
Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party
|
ANRP
|
5.
|
Coalition for Change
|
C4C
|
6.
|
Freedom and Justice Party
|
FJP
|
7
|
Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria
|
GDPN
|
8.
|
Justice Must Prevail Party
|
JMPP
|
9.
|
Legacy Party of Nigeria
|
LPN
|
10
|
Mass Action Joint Alliance
|
MAJA
|
11.
|
Modern Democratic Party
|
MDP
|
12
|
National Interest Party
|
NIP
|
13.
|
National Rescue Mission
|
NRM
|
14.
|
New Progressive Movement
|
NPM
|
15.
|
Nigeria Democratic Congress Party
|
NDCP
|
16.
|
People’s Alliance for National Development and Liberty
|
PANDEL
|
17.
|
People’s Trust
|
PT
|
18.
|
Providence People’s Congress
|
PPC
|
19.
|
Re-Build Nigeria Party
|
RBNP
|
20.
|
Restoration Party of Nigeria
|
RP
|
21.
|
Sustainable National Party
|
SNP
|
With this development, the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria is now 67.
FINDINGS ON THE KOGI DOUBLE REGISTRATION
Following reports of the alleged double registration by the Governor of Kogi State in the on-going Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the Commission set up a panel of investigation into the involvement of staff in the matter. The initial report submitted by the panel was referred to the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee, which made recommendations to the Commission. While the Governor of Kogi State currently enjoys immunity from prosecution, the Commission took the following decisions in respect of its own staff:
- Summary dismissal of two staff for acts of gross misconduct
- Immediate and compulsory retirement of an Electoral Officer for act of gross misconduct
ANAMBRA CENTRAL SENATORIAL RE-RUN ELECTION
It will be recalled that following the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the Commission announced that the outstanding election to fill the vacant seat for the Anambra Central Senatorial District would take place on 13th January 2018. However, the attention of the Commission has been drawn to the judgement of the Federal High Abuja on the issue, delivered on 13th December 2017. The Commission has applied for the Certified True Copy of the judgement to enable us take a decision.
Mrs. May Agbmuche-Mbu
National Commissioner & Member, Information and Voter Education Committee
Issued on Thursday 14th December 2017