INEC Registers Atiku's Party,One Other

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday registered two new political parties.

The parties are the Independent Democrats and the Peoples Democratic Movement, which is said to have as members, associates of a former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

A statement by the National Secretary of the commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, said the parties were registered in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

It states, “The Independent National Electoral Commission has registered two new political parties in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended).

“The newly registered parties are the Independent Democrats and the Peoples Democratic Movement.”

The constitution, manifesto, logo/flag and the list of national executive officers of the parties have also been approved by the commission.

The officials of PDM are: National Chairman, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim; National Secretary, Dr. Joseph O. Akinwumi; National Treasurer, Gagogo Emmanuel; National Financial Secretary, Aku Cecilia Betzom; and National Legal Adviser,  Kabiru Umaru Dodo.

The officials of the ID are: National Chairman, Edozie Madu; National Secretary, Tobi Adeniyi; National Treasurer, Ahanmisi Izegwuma Abigail; National Financial Secretary, Whetode Desire; and the National Legal Adviser, Charles Ibeh.

 Ibrahim, the PDM national chairman, was formerly a special assistant to Atiku and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja, he described the registration of the party as a good development in Nigeria.

“Politics in Nigeria will never be the same again. The  PDM is the real alternative Nigerians are waiting for because I have no doubt in my mind that it will challenge the present decadent order and try to fix Nigeria for all of us, not for sections, religions or tribes, but all of us,” Ibrahim stated.

At present, the number of political parties in Nigeria stands at 29.

APC was registered on July 31.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu, on Friday said that a court judgment on  parties’ deregistration only made reference to the Fresh Party headed by the Founder of the Household of God, Rev. Chris Okotie.

He stated, “We reduced the political parties to 25, we registered APC and now another two. As regards, the court case, I am only aware of the existence of Fresh Democratic Party.

“The court judgment is clear and it has to do with one party. The judgment made specific reliefs for specific interests.”

 Atiku had on Thursday said that his associates were involved in the registration of the PDM, describing the action as a welcome development.

His reaction followed reports that he and his associated had applied for the registration of the PDM because he was sidelined in the Peoples Democratic Party.

He said that registration of more political parties would expand the political space to accommodate all shades of opinions.

According to him, the freedom of association is the beauty of democracy.

Commenting on the registration of the two new parties, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party was not worried.

He said, “We in the APC are not really worried at all. We welcome any new party. We remain focused. As soon as things unravel and we know those who are behind it, we will make more informed comments.”

Also, the PDP lauded the registration of the two new political parties, describing it as a welcome development.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Tony Okeke, stated this in an interview with one of our correspondents.

He said the registration would, however, not pose as a threat to the ruling party.