Politics
INEC Accused Of Delaying Registration Of 104 New Parties Including Anti-Tinubu Coalition
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to act on the applications of 104 groups and associations seeking registration as political parties, several months after they were submitted.
It was gathered that the applications were filed in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections to allow more platforms to participate in Nigeria’s future electoral processes.
Among the groups seeking registration is the National Opposition Coalition Group, which is reportedly planning to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The coalition has proposed to float a new political party named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as its platform for the 2027 contest.
Meanwhile, the group is wary of partnering with existing political parties, alleging that many of them may have been compromised or infiltrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Daily Trust reports that despite the urgency expressed by some of the applicants, INEC appears to be dragging its feet.
Comrade Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that Nigeria’s political space is facing a crisis of representation, stressing that forming a new political party may be the only viable alternative for opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.Travel guides
Speaking on Trust TV, Lukman explained that internal issues within the APC led to his departure and warned that “all the potential platforms are in danger.”
He said leaders of the new coalition had explored the political landscape and identified two options — foremost among them, registering a new party.
However, with over 104 political associations awaiting registration and no sign that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun verification, chances of unifying opposition under a new umbrella such as the proposed Alliance Democratic Alliance seem slim.
“More than 70 groups have submitted applications to INEC. But INEC is sitting on them,” Lukman alleged, accusing the electoral body of deliberately stalling the process.
“Acknowledgement letters are not even being issued. That’s a violation of the law,” he added, noting that the Electoral Act mandates INEC to act within a 90-day window after acknowledging applications.
According to Lukman, the delay is part of a broader issue of “state capture” where institutions like the National Assembly and INEC are no longer functioning independently.
Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, representing the proposed Patriotic Peoples Party (PPP), said he submitted his application to INEC on March 28, 2025, but only received a response in May.
The response, he said, merely informed him to “await the opening of the registration portal”—a condition he described as vague and unaccountable.
In his formal letter to INEC, Okere stated that the PPP had met all constitutional requirements under Sections 221 to 224 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2022.
He demanded an official acknowledgment and warned of legal action if denied registration without just cause.
Some coalition members argue that had INEC expedited the process, emerging parties would have had sufficient time to organize ahead of 2027 primaries, which may begin early next year.
But Barrister Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), cast doubt on the feasibility of registering new parties.
He argued that by mid-2026, electoral activities like party primaries will be in full swing, leaving little room for new entrants. “Legally, no party can be registered within 12 months of a general election,” he noted.
INEC officials, speaking anonymously, said the commission is still reviewing the applications and has responded to many within the legal timeframe.
One official said the commission is developing a portal to automate the process and will announce its launch soon.
On the speculation that INEC fears litigation from deregistered parties, the official clarified: “The commission hasn’t made any decision on deregistration yet, but any action taken will follow legal guidelines.”
In 2020, INEC deregistered 74 of the 91 existing political parties due to poor performance in the 2019 elections.
The Chairman Mahmood Yakubu cited failure to win 25% of votes in a state or local government area, or to secure a single seat at any level, as grounds for deregistration.
Meanwhile, only 18 parties survived—later joined by the Youth Party (YP) and Boot Party (BP) through court orders—bringing the total to 19.
Critics argue that many of the surviving parties are now inactive, with only a handful maintaining political relevance.
Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, said all applicants must meet clearly defined criteria before registration.
“If there are issues with their documents or information, they must be resolved. Applicants are free to seek updates from the commission.”
Experts remain divided on the issue. Prof. Adele Jinadu, a former president of the International Political Science Association, said that in a multi-party democracy, there is no cap on the number of parties, provided legal requirements are met.
Dr. Dauda Garuba of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) agreed, adding that parties should be allowed to operate freely if compliant with the law.
But Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), argued that INEC’s role should not include registering parties.
“The right to associate is constitutionally guaranteed. INEC’s responsibility should be limited to setting criteria for appearing on the ballot.”
He noted that many associations seeking registration are simply creating Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for political bargaining. “Parties don’t need to go national. They can focus on local elections. Most lack the capacity to manage a national campaign anyway.
Political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections have taken a new dimension as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has openly invited two prominent figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to leave their embattled party, align with its platform and vie for the presidency under its banner.
In a statement shared via its official X handle on Sunday, the NDC indicated what it described as a limited timeframe of two weeks for political alignment, indicating urgency in its outreach.
“All we need right now. Just all we need. 2 weeks to deadline,” the party wrote.
The post was accompanied by an image showing Obi and Kwankwaso in a handshake, under the caption: “Nigeria will be OK”.
The development comes amid emerging discussions within sections of the political space, where supporters of both Obi and Kwankwaso recently floated a mobilisation initiative tagged the “OK Movement”, aimed at building support around a possible joint political arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Following the launch of the movement, Justin Ijeh, its national publicity secretary, announced the constitution of its national executive council as well as zonal and state-level structures, signalling an attempt at deeper organisational footing.
Meanwhile, the ADC continues to grapple with internal leadership disputes that have raised questions about its cohesion ahead of the next election cycle. The matter is currently before the Supreme Court, which on April 22 reserved judgement in an appeal filed by supporters of the David Mark-led leadership against a suit instituted by factional chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
On the regulatory side, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers and nominate candidates for the 2027 general elections.
But certain opposition parties have collectively expressed concern over the timetable. On Saturday, they urged the electoral commission to extend the deadline for party primaries to the end of July, arguing that the current schedule could create structural disadvantages.
The appeal was backed by key opposition formations including the factional ADC under David Mark’s leadership, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Turaki, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
According to the parties, the existing electoral timetable places undue pressure on political organisations and may affect internal democratic processes ahead of the general elections.
The Accord Party has said it was not part of a recent opposition meeting in Ibadan where some parties agreed to support a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
This is contained in a statement by the party’s National Secretary, Mukhtar Abdallah.
He said the party’s name and logo were used without its permission. It described the incident as political impersonation, not a simple error.
The meeting in Ibadan reportedly included members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other groups.
After the gathering, they announced plans to unite behind one candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the APC in 2027.
But the Accord Party, led by Professor Chris Imumolen, said it is not part of any alliance with those groups. It insisted it did not approve the use of its identity at the meeting.
“This is not an oversight; it is a misrepresentation,” the party said, adding that it would not be forced into any alliance it did not agree to.
The party also questioned the credibility of the coalition, saying it was troubling that it would use the name of a party that was not involved.
It stressed that its focus remains on the 2027 elections, where it plans to present its own presidential candidate.
“The Accord Party remains focused on the 2027 general elections not as a footnote in a hastily assembled coalition,” the statement said.
Imumolen has given the organisers of the meeting 48 hours to explain why the party’s name was used without consent. He warned that legal action would follow if they fail to respond.
The party said it is ready to defend its identity and independence and will not allow anyone to use its platform for political gain.
The All Progressives Congress in Zamfara State has moved to consolidate its ranks, throwing its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal for a second term in 2027
The decision emerged from a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday at the Government House in Gusau, where party leaders framed the endorsements as part of a broader push for unity, continuity and coordination between state and federal leadership.
The gathering drew a wide spectrum of the party’s structure—former governors, elected officials, party elders, and representatives of youth and women groups—from across the fourteen local government areas of the state.
Addressing the meeting, Governor Lawal described the convergence as coming at a critical juncture, with political activities ahead of the next general elections gradually taking shape.
He said, “Distinguished stakeholders, our decision to join the APC was not just political but a strategic move to support Zamfara’s repositioning. It positions us to work with the Federal Government, leverage national initiatives, and contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I wish to sincerely appreciate all of you for your steadfast support from the period of consultations, through the transition process, and into our joining the APC. Your commitment has been instrumental in shaping this direction.
“Fellow leaders and stakeholders, while we may represent different political backgrounds and interests, the Rescue Mission we lead is a mandate for every citizen of the State. It is not a mandate for any one group, section, or political tendency. It is a mandate to restore hope, rebuild institutions, secure our communities, and give our people a government that works for them.
“As key stakeholders, ladies and gentlemen, our administration focuses on restoring stability, rebuilding institutions, and providing development in Zamfara State. In a short time, we have made significant progress through collective effort, disciplined leadership, and shared commitment.”
The Zamfara Governor further explained that his alignment with the APC was a calculated step aimed at strengthening governance and improving collaboration with the Federal Government, while also widening development prospects for the state.
He added, “With this new phase comes greater responsibility. We must manage expectations and pursue political interests with maturity, fairness, and strategic discipline.
“Politics, by its nature, involves negotiation, compromise, and consensus-building. As the political space expands, so do desires and aspirations. It is important to recognise that while many seek opportunities, not all expectations can be met or accommodated urgently.
“Leadership is not defined solely by positions. Political relevance comes from serving, influencing, and contributing to the State’s development.
“I assure you that fairness, equity, and justice will continue to guide our decisions. We will uphold internal democracy, due process, and transparency in all our engagements. Loyalty to our party must be matched by discipline. We must avoid actions or statements that create division or weaken our collective resolve and standing.”
In a show of cohesion, former governors Ahmed Sani Yarima, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Abdul’aziz Yari and Bello Mohammed Matawalle reaffirmed their commitment to the party and aligned with the endorsement of both President Tinubu and Governor Lawal.
A communiqué presented at the meeting highlighted the need for sustained party unity, improved governance coordination, and attention to security challenges, while also setting the tone for preparations ahead of party activities and the 2027 general elections.
The early endorsement underscores a strategic effort by the Zamfara APC to stabilise its internal dynamics and project a united front as the countdown to 2027 gradually begins.
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