2027: Concerns as INEC Disqualifies Six Political Parties Seeking Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that eight political associations have successfully completed the initial stage of the registration process to become political parties, while six others have been disqualified for failing to meet stipulated requirements.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the commission, the decision followed a review at its regular meeting held on October 30, 2025, to assess progress made since its earlier update on September 11.

Olumekun explained that 14 associations had been pre-qualified for the second phase of the process after a briefing session held on September 17. A dedicated online portal was opened from September 18 to October 18 for the submission of all required documentation.

“As of Saturday, October 19, 2025, eight out of the 14 pre-qualified associations successfully completed the upload of all necessary information and documentation,” the statement read.

The eight associations that scaled through the stage are:

1. All Democratic Alliance (ADA)
2. Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA)
3. Abundance Social Party (ASP)
4. African Alliance Party (AAP)
5. Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)
6. Green Future Party (GFP)
7. National Democratic Party (NDP)
8. Peoples Freedom Party (PFP)

The electoral body stated that the next phase will involve a detailed verification and assessment of the submitted documents to ensure compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

Olumekun highlighted that the verification process will be the deciding factor, in whether the associations satisfy the legal criteria needed for full registration as political parties.

“This step will make sure we’re fully compliant with the laws and INEC’s regulatory framework, for the registration of political parties ” he said.

The commission reiterated its pledge, for an inclusive electoral process pointing out that political participation continues to serve as a foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.

“INEC reaffirmed its pledge to deepen Nigeria’s culture by championing openness, fairness and a strict observance of due process ” the statement added.

INEC revealed that it first received 171 letters of intent from a variety of associations hoping to register but only 14 cleared the pre‑qualification stage and the recent screening has trimmed the number even further.