Tension Soars: INEC’s Delay In New Party Registrations Sparks Political Firestorm

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing increasing pressure to expedite the registration of over 104 political associations seeking formal recognition as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This surge in demand has sparked concerns among political actors, legal experts, and civil society groups regarding delays, lack of transparency, and possible political interference by the commission.

Since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, applications for new party registrations have significantly increased. Notably, groups such as the National Opposition Coalition Group have announced plans to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election under a newly proposed platform tentatively named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

Prominent opposition figures, including Comrade Salihu Lukman, a former APC chieftain, have accused INEC of deliberately stalling the registration process by withholding acknowledgment of submitted applications—an act that may violate Section 75 of the 2022 Electoral Act.

“More than 70 groups have applied to INEC, but the commission has not acknowledged any of them,” Lukman stated in a recent interview. “By law, if INEC acknowledges an application and 90 days pass without registration, the party is automatically registered. However, acknowledgments are not being issued.”

Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, who applied for the Patriotic Peoples Party (PPP) on March 28, 2025, revealed that INEC only responded after more than a month, informing him that the registration portal was still not open.

INEC officials, speaking anonymously, denied these claims, explaining that while they have received 104 applications, the verification process is ongoing. They added that a new online portal is being finalized to automate and streamline registration, improving transparency and efficiency.

“The commission has responded to applicants. It is unfair to accuse INEC of ignoring the applications. The portal will soon be accessible on our website,” a senior official said.

INEC’s spokesperson, Rotimi Oyekanmi, emphasized that political associations must fully comply with constitutional and legal requirements before registration can proceed.

“The commission is bound by the law. The guidelines are clear, and no registration can occur unless applicants meet all criteria,” he stated.

Legal experts and democracy advocates warn that the ongoing delays risk disrupting electoral preparations, especially as party primaries are expected to commence by mid-2026.

Prof. Adele Jinadu, former president of the International Political Science Association, remarked, “If applicants meet all constitutional and electoral law conditions, there should be no obstacles to party registration in a multi-party system.”

Dr. Dauda Garuba of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) added, “Allowing political parties to operate freely and independently would resolve many of the challenges currently faced.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on March 6, 2025, passed a bill for second reading that seeks to transfer responsibility for political party registration and regulation from INEC to a new independent agency. The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Rep. Marcus Onobun, also aims to establish a Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to handle internal and inter-party conflicts.

“INEC should not regulate political parties,” Onobun argued.

The bill is now under review by the Committees on Electoral Matters and Political Party Matters.

Despite calls for greater political inclusiveness, many observers warn that time is running out for new parties to register and prepare ahead of the next general election.

Barrister Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), cautioned, “No party should be registered less than 12 months before a general election. With primaries expected by mid-2026, the window is closing fast.”

Current Status of Political Parties in Nigeria
Nigeria presently has 19 registered political parties, down from 91 after INEC deregistered 74 parties in 2020 for non-performance. The remaining parties include APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, SDP, ADC, among others. Notably, the Youth Party (YP) and Boot Party (BP) regained registration through court rulings, signaling potential legal challenges if INEC continues to delay new registrations.

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