The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 14 political associations have passed the initial stage of screening in their bid to become registered political parties, while 157 others were disqualified for failing to meet the necessary requirements.
This decision was reached during INEC’s regular meeting on Thursday, where the commission also reviewed its preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission received 171 applications from groups seeking registration as political parties.
Each application was evaluated based on preliminary compliance with Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and provisions of INEC’s 2022 Guidelines for Political Parties.
Of the total applications, only 14 met the preliminary legal and procedural conditions. INEC noted that all applicants will be formally notified of the commission’s decisions within 24 hours.
The interim chairpersons and secretaries of the 14 successful associations have been invited to attend a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
However, INEC emphasized that passing the first hurdle does not equate to full registration. The next stage will involve uploading relevant documentation and the physical verification of each group’s claims, after which a final decision will be made.
Olumekun underscored that the full registration process is designed to ensure strict adherence to legal requirements, including the existence of a functional national headquarters in Abuja, a distinct name and logo, nationwide presence, and a democratic constitution and manifesto.
Among the 14 associations advancing to the next stage are the African Transformation Party, All Democratic Alliance, Advance Nigeria Congress, Abundance Social Party, African Alliance Party, Citizens Democratic Alliance, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Grassroots Initiative Party, Green Future Party, Liberation People’s Party, National Democratic Party, National Reform Party, Patriotic Peoples Alliance, and the Peoples Freedom Party.
INEC reiterated that political party registration remains a continuous process, but stressed that the commission will continue to enforce compliance strictly. It also reminded the public of its authority to deregister political parties that fail to meet constitutional and electoral performance standards.
For example, in 2020, INEC deregistered 74 political parties for failing to win any seats during the 2019 general elections or comply with basic legal criteria. As of the 2023 elections, Nigeria had 18 officially registered political parties.
