THE Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has expressed concern that 17 of the political parties in the country have no functional national secretariats in Abuja, in apparent contravention of the statutory requirement of their existence as political parties.
INEC national commissioner/ Chairman, Elections and Party Monitoring Committee, Professor Antonia Simbine made the startling revelation on Wednesday during the presentation of certificates of registration to 21 newly registered political parties.
The Commission on December 14, 2017, had announced the registration of additional 21 political parties, bringing the number of political parties in the country to 68.
The new parties which received certificates yesterday were All Blending Party, (ABP) All Grassroots Alliance, (AGA) Alliance for New Nigeria, (ANN) Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, (ANRP) and Freedom and Justice Party, (FJP). The list also include, amongst others, Modern Democratic Party (MDP), National Interest Party (NIP), National Rescue Mission (NRM), New Progressive Movement (NPM), Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP), People’s Alliance for National Development and Liberty (PANDEL), People’s Trust (PT), Providence People’s Congress (PPC), Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP), Restoration Party of Nigeria (RP) and Sustainable National Party (SNP).
Addressing national chairmen of the new parties, Professor Simbine cautioned them to adhere strictly to the constitutional requirements guiding their registration as she expressed regret that some of the existing parties have breached the rules.
Among the requirements she listed were functional national headquarters, a national working committee, whose composition must reflect the federal character and must equally have tenures not exceeding four years.
But she specifically noted that 17 of the parties have observed in the breach, the mandatory requirement of the functional national secretariat, to be located in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Abuja. About 18 has no valid National Executive Committee, (NEC)
She said “Among other requirements, the Constitution requires that as registered political parties, you must always maintain a functional National Headquarters address in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
‘’Additionally, members of your National Executive Committees must not only reflect Federal Character but also have tenures that are renewed at intervals not exceeding four (4) years.
‘’The Commission on its part will at regular intervals carry out verification exercises/visits, to your offices to ensure continued compliance with relevant laws/regulations governing their existence as
political parties.
‘’It is pertinent to note that at the conclusion of a review of the compliance status of registered political parties done in August 2017, seventeen (17) out of the then forty-six (46) registered political parties had no functional offices in the FCT. ‘’Additionally, about eighteen (18) of the then forty-six (46) registered political parties had invalid National Executive Committees whose tenures had expired and/or were not reflective of the Federal
The character of Nigeria as required by the Constitution:
‘’The Commission has, in November 2017, formally advised the affected political parties on their respective areas of breach and provided a 90 days period within which the parties are expected to revert to full compliance status.
‘’It is therefore very important that you as newly registered political parties put in a place mechanism for ensuring compliance with relevant laws governing your existence as political parties. It is only by being law abiding that parties can seek to capture power and govern according to the laws of the land.’’
In his remarks, INEC national chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu further disclosed that since the registration of the 21 new political parties, the Commission has received 90 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.
‘’At the moment, 90 applications are under consideration by the Commission. Out of this number, 61 associations have failed the initial assessment of their proposed names, logos or acronyms and have
been notified. 25 associations that passed initial assessment have been advised to proceed to the next stage of the registration process.
Four associations are undergoing preliminary assessments of the suitability of their proposed names, logos and acronyms. I wish to assure all associations that the Commission will continue to treat each application fairly and on its merit consistent with the provisions of the Law. ‘’
He admonished the newly registered to conduct their operations within the laws that accorded them the status of political parties. He further pleaded with them to ensure that conduct of their primaries to select their candidates ahead of the forthcoming general elections were rancour-free, as he noted that ‘’disputes among political parties on candidature for election sometimes results in endless litigations that deprive citizens of representation and consequently a voice in national and local affairs.‘’
‘’For the 21 new political parties, it is pertinent to always remember that your Certificates of Registration not only formalise
your status as political parties but also confer obligations on you to operate within the requirements of the law at all times. You must add value to our democracy by adhering to the tenets of democratic norms anchored on the rule of law. In electing your officials as well as candidates for various elective positions, ensure free and transparent processes devoid of rancour. Ensure equal opportunity for all members of your parties irrespective of gender, age or physical disabilities.‘’
Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), Alhaji Muhammed Nalado, expressed delight over INEC commitment to the growth of multi-party democracy in the country and urged the new parties to play by the rules.
and then