ABUJA: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 14 political associations have successfully passed the preliminary stage of registration as political parties, while 157 others were disqualified for failing to meet legal and procedural requirements.
The decision was reached at the commission’s regular meeting on Thursday, which also reviewed preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission confirmed that it received 171 applications from associations seeking party registration.
“Each application was assessed in line with Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” the statement noted.
Of these, only 14 associations met the preliminary criteria and advanced to the next stage, while 157 were disqualified. INEC said all applicants would be officially notified of the outcome within 24 hours.
Olumekun added that interim leaders of the cleared associations have been invited to a briefing at INEC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
He, however, stressed that clearing the initial stage does not guarantee registration. “Beyond uploading required documents, the commission will carry out physical verification of all claims before making a final decision. Only those fully compliant with the legal framework will be approved,” he explained.
The 14 associations that scaled through include:
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African Transformation Party – Ikhane Stanley (Chairman), Emmanuel Shaibu (Secretary)
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All Democratic Alliance – Chief Akin A. Ricketts, Abdullahi Musa Elayo
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Advance Nigeria Congress – Mohammed Kabir, Chibuike Onyendilefu
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Abundance Social Party – Comrade Frank Oruwa, Sikiru Oripelaye
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African Alliance Party – Olusegun Peters, Haruna Abubakar
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Citizens Democratic Alliance – Engr. Muazu Magaji, Tamunotonye Inioribo
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Democratic Leadership Alliance – Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma, Munirat Adama
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Grassroots Initiative Party – Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie, Mohammed Abas Kuti
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Green Future Party – Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye, Peace Daful
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Liberation People’s Party – Hon. Alani Akinde, Douglas Aji
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National Democratic Party – Hon. Ada Okwori, Asuquo Edet Alexander
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National Reform Party – Abdulkadir Mohammed, Destiny Ormonigho Odugo
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Patriotic Peoples Alliance – Hon. John Ughulu, Jackie Wayas
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Peoples Freedom Party – Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe, Akintola Michael Alao
INEC reminded stakeholders that party registration is a continuous process but subject to strict conditions, including maintaining a national headquarters in Abuja, proving nationwide presence, adopting a distinct name and logo, and submitting a constitution and manifesto that conform to democratic principles.
The commission also emphasized that political parties failing to meet these standards risk deregistration, recalling that 74 parties were deregistered in 2020 for not meeting requirements or winning any seats in the 2019 general elections.
As of the 2023 elections, Nigeria had 18 officially recognized political parties.
