By Ifeyinwa Obi
The Young Democratic Party (YDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of deliberately treading on falsehood, saying the Commission risked plunging the nation’s democracy into crisis if it continued playing hide and seek with its (YDP) registration and participation in the 2015 elections.

In a press release signed by its national publicity secretary, Barr. Ugo Nwafor, the party accused INEC of deliberately shielding the facts of the case from the Nigerian public.

“In demanding the release of our Registration Certificate, couple of times we did approach INEC for it, but all appeared not forthcoming. In this, we wrote the SSS, IGP, Human Rights Commission and some other international institutions, wherein we alerted them of INEC’s refusal to heed our legal demand.

“Noticing no change in attitude by INEC in their refusal to release our certificate, we approached the Court of Law for the interpretation of Section 78(4) by virtue of the Electoral Act 2010 and to order INEC to release our registration certificate. On the 4th of March, 2015, justice was granted; in which INEC was ordered to release our registration certificate to us.

“Being deemed registered as a political party as at 1st of May, 2014, it is of a common sense that INEC includes our party logo in the ballot paper.

“However, we are aware of the misinformation of the Court order in some quarters, insinuating that the Court had ordered INEC to include YDP in the ballot paper which was unnecessary. The Court only ordered INEC to release the certificate of registration to YDP. INEC is herein called to obey the Court order as to preserve the integrity of the institution,’ the YDP’s statement read in part.