INEC Approves Registration of Two New Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties, increasing the number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21 as preparations intensify for the 2027 general election.
The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The announcement was made in Abuja by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for the year.
According to the electoral body, the decision followed a rigorous assessment process conducted in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. INEC disclosed that it received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking recognition as political parties.
Out of the total applications, 14 associations passed the initial pre-qualification stage and were invited to proceed further. Of these, eight associations successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s dedicated portal for detailed evaluation. However, only two associations met the statutory requirements at the final stage of verification.
INEC Chairman Prof. Amupitan explained that the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) fully complied with all legal and constitutional requirements and was consequently approved for registration. He added that the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) followed a court order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, directing the Commission to register the party.
“The Commission has decided to comply with the order of the court, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress is hereby registered as a political party,” Amupitan said, noting that certificates of registration would be presented to both parties in due course.
With the latest approval, the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria has risen to 21, marking a modest expansion of the country’s political landscape ahead of the next general election cycle.
During the meeting, the INEC chairman also expressed concern over persistent internal crises and leadership disputes within political parties, warning that such conflicts could undermine public confidence in the democratic process. He urged party leaders to prioritize internal democracy, dialogue, and adherence to party constitutions to reduce excessive litigation that often spills into the courts.
INEC reiterated its commitment to transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with the law as it continues preparations for upcoming electoral activities, including off-cycle elections and the 2027 general polls.
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