New Party Nears INEC Registration After Verification Exercise

The Grassroots Initiative Party (GRIP) has expressed confidence that the party will soon secure full registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the successful verification of its documents and national headquarters.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday after an INEC verification team led by Reginald Omorege visited the party’s national secretariat, the founder and national chairperson of GRIP, Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie, described the exercise as the final stage of the registration process, following the party’s provisional approval from the commission last year.

He said the electoral body’s officials visited the secretariat to verify the claims and documents that the party had earlier submitted as part of the registration requirements.

“Today marks almost the final phase of our application to be formally registered as a political party. We were granted 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 recommend us for final registration,” he said.

Chukwumezie expressed optimism that GRIP would receive its certificate of registration within the next few weeks, subject to INEC’s approval process.

He, however, said the party was not under pressure to contest any immediate election, stressing that its focus was on building 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 said.

According to him, GRIP was established to provide opportunities for young people and ordinary Nigerians who often lack the financial resources to compete within existing political parties.

He said the party is funded through members’ registration fees and dues rather than wealthy political sponsors.

“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,” he said.

Speaking about the challenges encountered during the registration process, Chukwumezie acknowledged that raising funds had not been easy, but said that the sacrifices made by members reflected their commitment to building a people-driven political movement.

“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 sacrifice, and they have remained committed throughout the process,” he added.

Outlining the party’s agenda, Chukwumezie said GRIP would prioritise transparency, accountability, the rule of law and economic transformation if elected into office.

He argued that Nigeria possesses enormous human and natural resources that could make it one of the world’s leading economies if properly harnessed.

He pledged to promote local processing of Nigeria’s mineral resources before export to create jobs, drive industrialisation and increase national wealth.

“No mineral resource should leave Nigeria without being processed into finished products. We must create value here rather than export raw materials. Nigeria has everything it takes to become a global economic power,” he said.

On security, Chukwumezie advocated greater deployment of modern military technology, particularly drones and aerial surveillance, to combat terrorism and banditry.

He said effective intelligence gathering and the use of air power would significantly weaken criminal groups before ground troops move in to clear affected areas.

He maintained that insecurity could be substantially reduced through decisive leadership and the efficient deployment of available military resources.

Chukwumezie also called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to support the party’s vision of building what he described as “a Black superpower” founded on transparency, good governance and the responsible management of the nation’s abundant resources.