Ahead of 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC has announced that 14 political associations have scaled the first hurdle in their bid for registration as political parties, while 157 others failed to meet the requirements.
It was gathered that the decision was taken at the commission’s regular meeting on Thursday, during which it also reviewed preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
According to the statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC disclosed that it received 171 applications from associations seeking party registration.
“Each request was assessed based on its prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022, and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” the statement read.
Of the applications, 14 associations satisfied the preliminary legal and procedural criteria to move forward, while 157 did not. INEC said it will officially notify all applicants of its decision within 24 hours.
Olumekun added that the interim chairmen and secretaries of the pre-qualified associations have been invited to a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
He, however, stressed that scaling the initial stage does not guarantee registration. “In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the commission will physically verify all claims by each association. The final determination of their registrability will be made after this verification to ensure full compliance with the legal framework,” he said.
The associations cleared for the next phase include the African Transformation Party, chaired by Ikhane Stanley with Emmanuel Shaibu as secretary; the All Democratic Alliance, led by Chief Akin A. Ricketts with Abdullahi Musa Elayo as secretary; the Advance Nigeria Congress, represented by Mohammed Kabir and Chibuike Onyendilefu; and the Abundance Social Party, with Comrade Frank Oruwa and Sikiru Oripelaye as interim leaders.
Others are the African Alliance Party, headed by Olusegun Peters with Haruna Abubakar as secretary; the Citizens Democratic Alliance, led by Engr. Muazu Magaji and Tamunotonye Inioribo, the Democratic Leadership Alliance, under the leadership of Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma with Munirat Adama as secretary; the Grassroots Initiative Party, represented by Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie and Mohammed Abas Kuti; and the Green Future Party, with Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye and Peace Daful.
Also on the list are the Liberation People’s Party, chaired by Hon. Alani Akinde with Douglas Aji as secretary; the National Democratic Party, with Hon. Ada Okwori and Asuquo Edet Alexander at the helm; the National Reform Party, led by Abdulkadir Mohammed with Destiny Ormonigho Odugo; the Patriotic Peoples Alliance, represented by Hon. John Ughulu and Jackie Wayas; and the Peoples Freedom Party, chaired by Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe, with Akintola Michael Alao as secretary.
INEC reiterated that political party registration is a continuous process under the law. Associations must meet strict conditions, including maintaining a national headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory, adopting a unique name and logo, proving nationwide membership and presence, and submitting a constitution and manifesto consistent with democratic principles.
The commission also reminded stakeholders that it routinely deregisters political parties that fail to meet these standards, especially after general elections. In 2020, for example, INEC deregistered 74 political parties for failing to win any seats in the 2019 elections or meet constitutional requirements.
As of the 2023 general elections, Nigeria had 18 recognised political parties.
