The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 14 political associations have met the preliminary requirements to advance to the next stage of registration as political parties in Nigeria.
This decision followed INEC’s regular meeting held on Thursday, during which the Commission also reviewed preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC revealed it had received 171 applications from political associations seeking registration.
“Each request was assessed based on prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2, and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022, and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” the statement said.
Out of the 171 submissions, 14 associations satisfied the preliminary legal and procedural conditions to proceed, while 157 failed to meet the required threshold.
“The Commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations within the next 24 hours,” Olumekun added.
INEC further stated that the interim Chairmen and Secretaries of the 14 pre-qualified associations have been invited to a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.
However, the Commission emphasized that meeting initial criteria does not constitute full registration. The final decision will be made after a detailed verification process to confirm compliance with all legal requirements.
“In addition to uploading required information to the portal, the Commission will physically verify all claims by each association,” the statement said.
“The final determination of registrability will be made after the physical verification of all claims.”
Olumekun also reiterated that party registration is a continuous process under the law and that INEC remains open to considering future applications that meet the legal criteria.
List of pre-qualified associations and their interim leaders
- African Transformation Party – Chair: Ikhane Stanley | Secretary: Emmanuel Shaibu
- All Democratic Alliance – Chair: Chief Akin A. Ricketts | Secretary: Abdullahi Musa Elayo
- Advance Nigeria Congress – Chair: Mohammed Kabir | Secretary: Chibuike Onyendilefu
- Abundance Social Party – Chair: Comrade Frank Oruwa | Secretary: Sikiru Oripelaye
- African Alliance Party – Chair: Olusegun Peters | Secretary: Haruna Abubakar
- Citizens Democratic Alliance – Chair: Engr. Muazu Magaji | Secretary: Tamunotonye Inioribo
- Democratic Leadership Alliance – Chair: Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma | Secretary: Munirat Adama
- Grassroots Initiative Party – Chair: Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie | Secretary: Mohammed Abas Kuti
- Green Future Party – Chair: Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye | Secretary: Peace Daful
- Liberation People’s Party – Chair: Hon. Alani Akinde | Secretary: Douglas Aji
- National Democratic Party – Chair: Hon. Ada Okwori | Secretary: Asuquo Edet Alexander
- National Reform Party – Chair: Abdulkadir Mohammed | Secretary: Destiny Ormonigho Odugo
- Patriotic Peoples Alliance – Chair: Hon. John Ughulu | Secretary: Jackie Wayas
- Peoples Freedom Party – Chair: Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe | Secretary: Akintola Michael Alao
