The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced a new online portal to streamline political party registration, following the surge of applications now totaling 129.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced in Abuja after INEC’s weekly meeting that the manual process is being replaced with a digital module within the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System (PFRAS).
He stated, “Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed.”
Olumekun added, “Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the commission is introducing a political party registration portal which is a module in our PFRAS.”
“This will make the process faster and more seamless. In the next one week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.”
He also noted further steps: “The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS.” The names of all new associations have already been uploaded to INEC’s website for public transparency.
In a separate development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held a strategic meeting in Abuja to address speculations about internal rifts.
The meeting brought together all 36 state chairmen along with the FCT chairman. They reaffirmed their support for the interim leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door session, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi explained the purpose:
“We invited all the state chairmen to reassure them that we have no intention to shove them aside. The purpose is to dispel all the falsehood and rumours making the rounds that we came to hijack the party from them.” He stressed that the leaders are “partners in building a stronger political party.”
Abdullahi added, “They are leaving Abuja today more assured than ever that they are critical stakeholders in the future of the ADC.”
Addressing recent criticisms by former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, who questioned the legality of the new coalition and leadership, Abdullahi maintained, “the party is on solid legal footing.”
Kingsley Ogga, Chairman of the ADC Forum of state chairmen and Kogi State party boss, confirmed united support for the interim leadership and coalition efforts.
When asked if anyone planned to step down, he replied, “Someone might feel differently, but nobody has come out to say so or go against what we are doing.”
