T he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disqualified six political associations while confirming that eight others have successfully advanced in Nigeria’s ongoing political party registration process. This development comes as part of the Commission’s sustained efforts to enforce accountability and legality within the country’s multiparty framework.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced the update in a statement released on Thursday, October 30, 2025, following a Commission meeting that reviewed progress made since its previous update on September 11.
Olumekun disclosed that out of the 14 associations pre-qualified in September, only eight were able to complete their submissions through the dedicated online portal before the October 18 deadline. The registration process, he noted, is governed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
The Eight Associations That Advanced
- 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)
According to INEC, these eight associations successfully uploaded all required documentation, including constitutions, manifestos, membership registers, and evidence of national spread. The next step, the Commission explained, involves detailed verification and assessment of each group’s submissions to determine compliance with statutory provisions.
“This stage will ensure conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties,” INEC stated. “The Commission reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic culture.”
INEC revealed that it had initially received 171 letters of intent from political associations seeking registration. After the first screening, 157 were disqualified for failing to meet the fundamental eligibility criteria, leaving only 14 to proceed to the documentation stage.
Background: A Renewed Push for Political Order
This disqualification marks the latest in a series of actions taken by INEC to streamline Nigeria’s political party ecosystem. The Commission has repeatedly emphasized its determination to prevent “briefcase parties” — groups formed without genuine structure or national spread — from crowding Nigeria’s electoral system.
The decision also reflects lessons from past electoral cycles, particularly after the deregistration of 74 parties in 2020 that failed to meet electoral performance benchmarks. Analysts believe INEC is adopting a firmer stance to preserve ballot clarity and strengthen institutional credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Expert Reactions and Analysis
Political observers have welcomed INEC’s insistence on compliance but caution that overly rigid requirements could stifle political innovation and discourage new movements. Dr. Abiodun Fatai, a political scientist at Lagos State University, noted that the Commission “must balance discipline with democratic inclusivity to avoid freezing out emerging youth and reformist movements.”
Civil society groups such as Yiaga Africa and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have urged INEC to publish detailed compliance reports for each disqualified association, emphasizing the need for transparency and a level playing field.
Next Steps in the Registration Process
- Verification of Claims: INEC will inspect physical offices, membership registers, and leadership structures of the eight successful associations.
- Field Assessment: Verification teams will confirm each association’s operational presence across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
- Final Approval: Associations that pass this phase will be considered for full registration as political parties.
- Appeal Window: Disqualified groups retain the right to petition INEC or seek judicial review as permitted by law.
Analysts predict that the process will significantly shape Nigeria’s political landscape heading into 2027, determining which new players gain official recognition and which fade from the country’s multiparty experiment.
Key Takeaways:
- INEC disqualifies six political associations and advances eight in new registration round.
- Process anchored on 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, and INEC guidelines.
- 171 groups applied, 157 initially disqualified, 14 pre-qualified, and 8 advanced.
- Next stage involves detailed verification of compliance and national presence.
- Experts urge transparency to ensure fairness and inclusion in the party system.