2027: Pressure Mounts As INEC Delays Registration Of Over 70 New Political Parties
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under mounting pressure to process the registration of over 104 political associations seeking recognition as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This follows complaints from political actors, legal experts, and civil society groups about the commission’s delays, lack of transparency, and possible political interference.
Applications for new party registrations have surged since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, with some groups—like the National Opposition Coalition Group—openly planning to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid under a fresh political platform, tentatively named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under mounting pressure to process the registration of over 104 political associations seeking recognition as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This follows complaints from political actors, legal experts, and civil society groups about the commission’s delays, lack of transparency, and possible political interference.
Applications for new party registrations have surged since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, with some groups—like the National Opposition Coalition Group—openly planning to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid under a fresh political platform, tentatively named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
Prominent opposition figures, including Comrade Salihu Lukman, a former APC chieftain, have alleged that INEC is intentionally stalling the registration process by refusing to acknowledge applications—an action that potentially violates Section 75 of the 2022 Electoral Act.
More than 70 groups have submitted applications to INEC. But INEC is sitting on them,” Lukman said in a recent interview.
“By law, once INEC acknowledges your application and 90 days pass without formal registration, you’re considered registered. But acknowledgements are not even being issued.”
Another applicant, Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, who submitted documents for the Patriotic Peoples Party (PPP) on March 28, 2025, said INEC only replied over a month later, stating that the portal for new party registration had yet to open.
INEC officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied the allegations. They stated that while 104 applications had been received, verification was ongoing, and the process would soon be automated through a portal to enhance transparency and efficiency.
The commission replied to the applicants. It is unfair to accuse INEC of sitting on the applications. The portal is being finalised and will be available on the website,” a senior official said.
INEC’s spokesperson, Rotimi Oyekanmi, reiterated that political associations must comply fully with constitutional and legal provisions before registration can proceed.
“The commission must ensure compliance with the law. The guidelines are clear, and until an applicant fulfills them, there can be no registration,” he said.
