The Independent National Electoral Commission has registered 5 additional political parties in Nigeria.
According to the Commission’s twitter handle, the new parties are:Young Progressive Party (YPP), Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP), All Democratic Peoples Movement (ADPM) and Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Only five of the 95 associations which applied for registration were approved by the commission
“The Commission today approved d applications of 5 of d associations which have fulfilled d constitutional requirements for registration. (3)
“Two of the associations voluntarily withdrew their applications.
“At present, 95 Associations have applied to the Commission for registration as political parties” the tweets said.
Meanwhile, APD has hailed the move . A statement by Asandia Hogan, Interim National Publicity Secretary of APDA said “The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) welcomes with delight the registration of five new political parties , one of which is the APDA, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). By this action, the commission is fulfilling one of its statutory obligations-that of registration of political associations seeking registration as political parties. Beyond that, the registration of the new parties will broaden the political space and give Nigerians more latitude to choose among political parties. We thank the commission for living up to its constitutional mandate and urge it to do more in our collective quest to enthrone a viable and enduring political culture.
“It is worthy of note that the registration of APDA or any other political party for that matter did not come easy. It is the outcome of a rigorous selection exercise. We at APDA congratulate ourselves for meeting the requirements for registration as a political party within the shortest possible time ever. It is on record that our application succeeded even before those of others who applied before us. Our early success in this regard is, no doubt, a product of our diligence and hard work as well as the impartial and fair disposition of the electoral body.
“We wish to state here again that APDA is the true party of the Nigerian people. We are determined to redefine partisan politics and political administration in the country. We have a social contract with Nigerians and this is driven by a deliberate , conscious and patriotic conviction that the time has come for us to institute a national political platform that will accommodate all of us as we strive to meet our individual and collective dreams and aspirations.
“We say this in recognition of the fact that APDA as a political movement arose out of the despondency in the land. Nigeria as a country is saddled with an inactive and inept behemoth masquerading as a ruling party . It is an indisputable fact that the government of the day has failed the people. Hunger and poverty are ravaging the land and there is no hope for a better tomorrow under the present order. Much more regrettable is the fact that there is no viable opposition in the land to put the failing government on its toes. A situation like this calls for redress and APDA is offering itself to undertake this rescue mission. To achieve our broad goals and objectives, we have put together a holistic manifesto which will be the basis of our social contract with the Nigerian people.
“We wish to assure Nigerians that APDA will introduce values that are premised on an inclusive Nigerian society that is founded on the principles of freedom, equality, solidarity and fairness. All we ask of you is to trust and believe in us. Together, we can make Nigeria the country of our dream. As we say in APDA, we are truly stronger together.”
