Nigeria
now has 67 political parties. This followed yesterday’s registration of 21
parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The
electoral agency took the decision at its weekly meeting, according to its
National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee,
Mrs. May Agbmuche-Mbu.
The
meeting also ratified the dismissal of two of its employees and the retirement
of another for complicity in the double registration of Kogi State
Governor Yahaya Bello.
The
meeting agreed to take another look at its plan to conduct elections into the
Anambra State Central Senatorial District in view of Wednesday’s judgment.
The
21 newly registered parties are: All Blending Party, All Grassroots Alliance,
Alliance for New Nigeria, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, Coalition for Change,
Freedom and Justice Party, Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria, Justice
Must Prevail Party, Mass Action Joint Alliance, Legacy Party of Nigeria, Mass
Action Joint Alliance, Modern Democratic Party, National Interest Party,
National Rescue Mission, New Progressive Movement, Nigeria Democratic Congress
Party, People’s Alliance for National Development and Liberty, People’s Trust,
Providence People’s Congress, Re-Build Nigeria Party, Restoration Party of
Nigeria and Sustainable National Party.
On
the Kogi governor’s double registration, the INEC statement said: “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.”
On
the Anambra Central Senatorial seat, INEC said: “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.
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