The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 14 political associations have met the initial requirements to move forward in the process of becoming registered political parties in Nigeria.
This development followed a routine meeting held by the Commission, during which it also reviewed plans for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the FCT Area Council election.
According to a statement from Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission received 171 applications from various political groups.
However, only 14 associations met the preliminary legal and procedural criteria, as outlined under Section 222 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Guidelines for Political Parties.
Olumekun emphasized that this shortlisting does not amount to full registration.
The next step will involve physical verification of the submitted documents and claims made by the associations.
Only after this verification will INEC decide whether to grant full political party status.
“The final determination of each association’s registrability will be made after verifying their compliance with the legal framework,” Olumekun said.
INEC also announced that interim leaders of the 14 shortlisted groups will attend a briefing on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Here are the 14 associations that passed the initial screening:
- African Transformation Party – Ikhane Stanley (Chairman), Emmanuel Shaibu (Secretary)
- All Democratic Alliance – Chief Akin A. Ricketts, Abdullahi Musa Elayo
- Advance Nigeria Congress – Mohammed Kabir, Chibuike Onyendilefu
- Abundance Social Party – Comrade Frank Oruwa, Sikiru Oripelaye
- African Alliance Party – Olusegun Peters, Haruna Abubakar
- Citizens Democratic Alliance – Engr. Muazu Magaji, Tamunotonye Inioribo
- Democratic Leadership Alliance – Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma, Munirat Adama
- Grassroots Initiative Party – Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie, Mohammed Abas Kuti
- Green Future Party – Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye, Peace Daful
- Liberation People’s Party – Hon. Alani Akinde, Douglas Aji
- National Democratic Party – Hon. Ada Okwori, Asuquo Edet Alexander
- National Reform Party – Abdulkadir Mohammed, Destiny Ormonigho Odugo
- Patriotic Peoples Alliance – Hon. John Ughulu, Jackie Wayas
- Peoples Freedom Party – Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe, Akintola Michael Alao
INEC reiterated that party registration is an ongoing process and associations that meet the legal criteria can apply at any time.
