The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is reportedly facing mounting pressure not to register Team New Nigeria (TNN) as a political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite fixing February 21, 2026, for elections into the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, the commission has yet to announce a date for the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
TNN, in a statement issued in Kaduna yesterday by its spokesperson, Dr. Mohammed Shaibu, claimed that high-level political interests are trying to block its registration due to the party’s rising popularity across Nigeria.
He noted that the association had applied for registration since 2024.
According to Shaibu, “The application for registration has been submitted to INEC and was acknowledged since May 27, 2024.”
However, he expressed disappointment that INEC has not made further progress.
“INEC only wrote an acknowledgment letter promising to notify us when the registration portal would be opened for submission of application and documentation,” he said.
He added: “All efforts made to remind the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, of the intendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, has proven abortive.”
“Despite the passage of the 90 days threshold, the period within which the Commission’s Guidelines mandatorily required him to respond to such letter of intent.”
Shaibu further questioned the delay: “For how long should we wait to get registered? Our presence is all over the country and we have limited time to deliver our manifestos to the electorate.”
He also stated that the INEC Chairman is allegedly resisting pressure from “high quarters” not to approve TNN’s registration.
“There is no doubt that INEC is under tremendous pressure, from both the card-carrying All Progressives Congress (APC) members in its employ and their collaborators who are mortally afraid of the TNN, and who will want the electoral body to commence, right now, the process of rigging the 2027 election in their favour.”
He appealed to INEC to uphold its neutrality and respect the law.
“But we urge INEC not to compromise its neutrality and integrity by acting contrary to the law.”
“We remind the commission that Nigerians are keenly watching how it will handle this TNN issue, and whatever it does will determine whether or not Nigerians can count on it to organise a credible election in 2027,” the statement concluded.
In the meantime, TNN has called on its supporters nationwide to remain calm and patient as the matter unfolds.
Meanwhile, in response to a viral social media message claiming that the CVR, including the transfer and replacement of lost Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), would resume on May 27, 2025, INEC dismissed the claim as false.
Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, clarified yesterday: “In line with its tradition, the commission will publicly announce the date for the resumption of the CVR at the appropriate time, the full details of which will also be shared via our official social media platforms.”
