The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it has received 91 applications from political groups seeking registration as new parties. This move comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The major political parties have weighed in on the surge of new applications. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) views the large number of applications as indicative of a lack of unity among opposition leaders. In contrast, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) considers it a sign of failure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) expressed support for the influx of new applications, calling for thorough vetting by INEC to ensure that only legitimate parties are registered.

In response, the APC accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of masterminding the drive for new political parties, claiming that the effort would ultimately be futile, as the APC remains confident in its chances for the 2027 elections.

This development occurs amid allegations from opposition groups that INEC is deliberately obstructing the registration of new political parties ahead of the upcoming elections.

Salihu Lukman, a key figure in the opposition coalition and former National Vice Chairman of the APC (North-West), pointed out that parties which failed to secure seats in previous elections risk deregistration. Lukman also noted that many coalition members have been engaged in lengthy negotiations to form a unified opposition platform.

Lukman remarked, “INEC seems determined not to register new parties, frustrating applications for reasons unknown.”

Political Implications

On March 20, 2025, presidential contenders Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and former Governor Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna State) announced the formation of a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, assured the public that no applications had been rejected, confirming the receipt of 91 applications as of that date.

Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, emphasized that the opposition does not need multiple political parties to challenge the APC, but rather a strong, united platform. He criticized the surge in party applications as a waste of resources and a reflection of division among opposition leaders.

Support for New Parties

Ladipo Johnson, NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, viewed the influx of new parties as a positive development that could strengthen the opposition. He noted that the move signals dissatisfaction with the APC and suggested that new parties could eventually join forces with established ones to form a stronger opposition.

Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, defended the right of political associations to seek registration, stating that the process should be inclusive and open to all groups that meet INEC’s criteria.

Mark Adebayo, spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties, criticized efforts to limit the number of political parties, arguing that a healthy democracy requires diverse participation. He pointed to the US and UK, which have numerous political parties despite the dominance of a few. He warned that refusing to register new parties could entrench the APC’s hold on power and stifle competition.

SDP’s Perspective

Rufus Aiyenigba, the National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), acknowledged that while the number of parties may not matter, the focus should be on reforming the electoral system to ensure its integrity.

APC’s Response

Bala Ibrahim, APC’s Publicity Director, dismissed the surge in party registrations as an effort by unsuccessful politicians to maintain relevance. He particularly criticized Atiku Abubakar’s attempts to register new parties, dismissing them as futile and ultimately unsuccessful.

He said, “These attempts are nothing more than movements without any real change. The APC continues to grow in strength and support, and these new parties won’t challenge that.”