The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties, raising the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21 as the country prepares for the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced the development on Thursday during the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026, held at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Amupitan, the registration followed a rigorous assessment process in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
He revealed that INEC received 171 letters of intent from groups seeking party registration. After an initial screening, 14 associations were prequalified for the next stage, and eight successfully submitted the required documentation.
These included the 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), and Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).
“Out of the eight, only two satisfied the final assessment and verification of compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act,” Amupitan said.
“The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has fully met the legal requirements and is hereby registered as a political party, effective 5th February 2026.”
He added that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was registered following a court directive.
“The Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 ordered INEC to register the NDC, and the Commission has complied with this order,” he explained.
Certificates of registration for both parties will be presented in due course.
Amupitan also warned political parties to resolve internal leadership disputes, noting that persistent litigations distract INEC from its core mandate of conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
He encouraged party leaders to embrace internal democracy, dialogue, and transparency to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process as preparations intensify for elections in 2026 and the 2027 general election.
