INEC registers two new political parties
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in the year 2026.
According to him, the Commission received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties, adding that the applications were assessed strictly in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
With the registration of the two parties, Prof. Amupitan noted that Nigeria now has 21 registered political parties, adding that certificates of registration would be presented to the new parties in due course.
Amupitan said only 14 associations scaled the initial prequalification stage, while eight successfully uploaded their documents on the Commission’s dedicated portal.
“Following final assessment and verification of compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) met all conditions and was consequently registered as a political party with effect from 5th February 2026,” the Chairman said.
He further disclosed that INEC would comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, which ordered the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
Also, the Commission warned that persistent internal leadership crises within parties pose a serious threat to democratic consolidation as preparations for the 2027 General Election intensify.
The INEC Chairman expressed deep concern over the increasing incidence of leadership disputes within political parties, describing the trend as unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy and a distraction to the Commission’s core mandate.
He noted that frequent litigations arising from internal party crises often result in INEC being joined as a party, thereby diverting time and resources from election management.
According to him, such disputes create uncertainty among party members and supporters, erode public confidence in the political system and undermine democratic stability.
While reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, Prof. Amupitan urged party leaders to prioritise internal democracy, transparent leadership and constructive dialogue, stressing that cohesive party structures are indispensable to credible elections.
The INEC Chairman confirmed that the Ekiti State governorship election would hold on 20th June 2026, while the Osun State governorship election is scheduled for 8th August 2026, noting that activities in the respective timetables were progressing as scheduled.
On the 2027 General Election, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission had finalised the Timetable and Schedule of Activities in compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022, but was awaiting the conclusion of ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act by the National Assembly. He urged stakeholders to encourage the legislature to expedite the process to ensure a stable legal framework well ahead of the elections.
The Chairman also announced that INEC would soon embark on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise ahead of 2027, explaining that despite regular updates since 2011, the current voters’ register still contains anomalies such as duplicate registrations, inclusion of deceased persons and inaccurate records, which undermine public confidence.
He described a credible voters’ register as the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections and said sanitising the register was essential to strengthening the integrity of the electoral process.
The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, congratulated Prof. Amupitan on his appointment and described the consultative meeting as timely, given the scale of electoral activities leading to the 2027 General Election.
Dr. Dantalle reaffirmed IPAC’s expectation that INEC would continue to act independently, neutrally and decisively, while providing a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
He acknowledged the prevalence of leadership disputes within some political parties and urged INEC to be guided strictly by the constitutions of the respective parties when recognising and publishing party leadership on its website, noting that such recognition confers legitimacy and determines the official leadership with which the Commission engages.
According to him, strict adherence to party constitutions would reduce litigations, dispel perceptions of bias or interference and strengthen internal party democracy. He also urged political parties to utilise IPAC’s internal alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting prematurely to the courts.
The IPAC Chairman further called on the National Assembly to expedite the harmonisation of the electoral legal framework, stressing that time was of the essence as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
