SDP protest denial of certificate of registration by INEC

From Seyi Ojelade, Ibadan

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday shunned journalists who attempt to get explanation over denial of Socialists Party of Nigeria(SPN) its Certificate of Registration.

The newsmen reliably gathered that there are indications and evidences that the Commission has no explanation to anybody on who got registered and who denied registration.

It would be recalled that INEC has refused to register SPN without adequate and convincing reasons to the Party officials after the Commission had collected One million naira registration fees.

Based on these series of allegation against INEC, newsmen from different media organizations across the country gathered at the Commission office in Oyo State only to be shut out by the security operatives while calls and text messages put to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Amb. Rufus Akeju and that of Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Afolami were not responded.

Earlier, members of SPN in Oyo State had organized a peaceful protest to call on the masses to prevail on INEC to do the needful and furnish the party with her certificate of registration.

The State Secretary of the Party, Comrade Abiodun Bamigboye who spoke on behalf of executive members explained that the party met all the requirements for registration including having members in 24 states and Abuja.

He described the INEC action as dellibrate and conscious act to deny poor people their political right saying some of the major parties has been hijacked by elites and rich politicians.

Bamigboye disclosed that the one million naira fees was raised by extremely poor people such as tailors, mechanics, traders, students and artisans who believe in having a political party for the poor masses.

He said the Party was formed in 2012 and since commenced its mobilization which made submission of application forms on 12th June, 2014 and other demanded documents to INEC.