The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set the political space buzzing after unveiling a dramatic shake-up in party registration. Out of 171 associations jostling to become political parties in Nigeria, a staggering 157 were shown the red card—leaving just 14 contenders standing strong on the road to official recognition.
The announcement came on Thursday from INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, after a decisive meeting of the Commission.
Olumekun revealed that each application was subjected to strict constitutional and legal scrutiny, in line with Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s own guidelines.
“Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage, while 157 have not,” Olumekun declared, noting that the Commission’s verdict will be formally communicated within 24 hours.
He added that the names of the pre-qualified groups have already been published on INEC’s website and official platforms for Nigerians to see.
THE LUCKY 14: NIGERIA’S NEXT POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHTS?
The associations that survived the cut include:
African Transformation Party (ATP)
All Democratic Alliance (ADA)
Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC)
Abundance Social Party (ASP)
African Alliance Party (AAP)
Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA)
Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)
Grassroots Initiative Party (GRIP)
Green Future Party (GFP)
Liberation People’s Party (LPP)
National Democratic Party (NDP)
National Reform Party (NRP)
Patriotic Peoples Alliance (PPA)
Peoples Freedom Party (PFP)
With this clearance, the political battlefield is set for a fresh wave of parties eager to challenge the status quo and reshape Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
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