Number Of Political Parties Swells To 46 As INEC Registers APP, Swears In 9 Recs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the registration of the African Peoples Party (APP).

The registration of the new party is coming on the heels of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, swearing in nine Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECS.)

With the registration of the APP, Nigeria now has 46 political parties.

“The Commission has, by order of court, yesterday issued Certificate of Registration to the African People’s Party APP which originally applied for registration as a political party three years ago in 2014. With this development, the number of political parties in Nigeria now stands at 46”, Yakubu stated.

Those sworn in is Dr Asmau Sani Maikudi, whose appointment was steeped in controversy following the alleged refusal of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue her appointment letter.

Others are Sam Olumekun, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, Barr. Kassim Geidam, Jibrin Zarewa, Abdulganiyu Raji, Prof. Sam Egwu, Barr. Mike Igini and Mallam Sadiq Musa.

“As Resident Electoral Commissioners, you will be responsible for the implementation of the plan. In doing so, you will also exercise supervisory control over personnel, resources as well as legal and administrative processes in the States to which you are posted. You will also interact with various categories of stakeholders, including partisan actors.

“As election managers, you must maintain the required openness and consultation. At the same time, you must be very firm and courageous on the side of the law as well as our regulations and guidelines as required of you as unbiased umpire. Be fair to all, partisan to none.

“As I told the first set of new Resident Electoral Commissioners a few weeks ago, you can also be posted to any part of the country at any time the exigencies of service require such deployment. For now, you will be posted to States within your geo-political zones but none of you will ever serve in his or her State of origin throughout your tenure,” the INEC boss said.