The National Chairperson of the Grassroots Initiative Party (GRIP), Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie, Thursday, said he is optimistic that the party will soon secure a full status of a political party from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Chukwumezie stated this shortly after a successful verification of the party’s documents and national headquarters situated at Utako, Abuja by INEC. He told newsmen that the exercise was the final stage in the party’s registration process after it received a provisional approval from the electoral commission last year.
He said INEC officials visited the party’s national secretariat to verify the claims and documents previously submitted as part of the requirements for its registration.
In his words, “This verification marks almost the final phase of our application to be formally registered as a political party. We were granted a provisional approval last year, and given access to the INEC portal, where we uploaded all the required documents.
“They have examined our submissions, and for them to come for verification means that our documentation has been completed. Today’s exercise is to verify the information we provided, and once that is successfully concluded, they will hopefully recommend us for final registration.”
Chukwumezie expressed confidence that GRIP would receive its certificate of registration within the next few weeks, subject to INEC’s approval process and timetable.
He, however, said the party was not under pressure to participate in any immediate election. Rather, according to him, GRIP’s major focus is to build a credible political platform for ordinary Nigerians.
“We are not in a hurry to contest elections. Our goal is to build a formidable party for the masses. Even if we do not participate in the next election, there are future elections, including those in 2029. What matters most is establishing a strong foundation,” he stated.
He explained that the party was established to provide opportunities for young and ordinary Nigerian citizens “who often lack the financial resources to compete within existing political parties”. He added that GRIP is funded through membership registration fees and dues rather than wealthy political sponsors.
He stated that, “This is a party for the youths and the masses. Nigerians are excited because they now have a platform they can truly call their own. We do not have political godfathers financing us. Members contribute through registration fees and dues, and that is how we have sustained this movement.”
Chukwumezie commended individual sacrifices of members towards building the party. “The sacrifices made by members are the evidence of their commitment to building a people-driven political movement,” he said.
He however acknowledged that the journey has not been easy. “It has not been easy raising the necessary funds because our members are ordinary Nigerians contributing little by little. But they understand that ownership requires sacrifices, and they have remained committed throughout the process.”
Outlining the party’s agenda, Chukwumezie said GRIP would prioritise transparency, accountability, the rule of law and economic transformation if elected into office.
He said Nigeria possesses enormous natural and human resources capable of making it one of the world’s leading economies, but claimed that the nation’s potentials have not been managed optimally.
He pledged that the party would promote local processing of Nigeria’s mineral resources before export in order to create jobs, drive industrialisation and increase national wealth.
“No mineral resource should leave Nigeria’s shores without being processed into finished products. We must create value here instead of exporting raw materials. Nigeria has everything it takes to become a global economic power,” he said.
On security, Chukwumezie advocated the greater deployment of modern technologies, particularly drones and aerial surveillance, to combat terrorism and banditry.
According to him, the effective use of intelligence gathering and air power would weaken criminal groups before ground troops move in to clear affected areas.
He said insecurity could be substantially reduced through decisive leadership and the efficient deployment of available military resources. He therefore called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to support the party’s vision of building “a black superpower” founded on transparency, good governance and the responsible management of the nation’s abundant resources.
Our correspondent reports that the INEC team to the verification was led by Mr Reginald Omorege.
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