THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has presented certificates of registration to the five newly-registered political parties in the country. The parties are Action Democratic Party , ADP, All Democratic People’s Movement, ADPM, Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance, APDA, New Generation Party of Nigeria, NGP, and the Young Progressive Party, YPP.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of INEC, while presenting the certificates to the parties in Abuja, on Friday, June 16, said: “As you are aware, political parties are at the heart of our democracy. Under the Constitution, no Nigerian can contest an election conducted by lNEC unless he/she is sponsored by a political party.

“Similarly, under the Constitution, you are registered to operate as national political parties. As such, you should remain committed to the politics of principles and development of the entire nation as articulated in your party constitutions and manifestos which you submitted along with your applications for registration.”

He advised them to eschew politics of division, bitterness, mud-slinging and hatred. “You must also be inclusive in all your activities by giving opportunity to all citizens, especially disadvantaged groups such as women, youths and persons with disabilities”.

He told them that they would enjoy equal rights and privileges of recognised political parties under the Constitution, the Electoral Act as well as INEC’s regulations and guidelines.

—  Jun 26, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT