Registration Shake-Up: INEC Green-lights Eight Associations, Six Others Sent Packing

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that eight political associations have successfully completed the initial stage of registration to become fully recognized political parties, while six others were disqualified for failing to meet the required standards.

The disclosure was made in a statement released on Thursday by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, following INEC’s meeting held on October 30, 2025, to review developments since its last update on September 11.

According to the statement, 14 associations were initially pre-qualified to proceed with the registration exercise, which began with a formal briefing on September 17. The process included the opening of a dedicated online portal for document uploads between September 18 and October 18.

By October 19, eight associations had successfully completed the upload of all required information and documentation.

The statement listed the successful associations as:

• All Democratic Alliance (ADA)

• Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA)

• Abundance Social Party (ASP)

• African Alliance Party (AAP)

• Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)

• Green Future Party (GFP)

• National Democratic Party (NDP)

• Peoples Freedom Party (PFP)

Meanwhile, six other associations were disqualified for failing to satisfy INEC’s preliminary requirements, though their names were not disclosed.

INEC added that the next phase of the process will involve a comprehensive verification of documents submitted by the successful groups to ensure full compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).

Olumekun reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusivity, emphasizing that INEC remains focused on deepening Nigeria’s democratic system.

He further revealed that the commission had received 171 letters of intent from various associations seeking registration, noting that only those that meet all stipulated conditions would be granted approval.