The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pushed back against pressure from political groups seeking registration ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that only associations meeting constitutional and regulatory requirements will be approved.
Responding to mounting criticism, INEC stressed that political party registration is a legal process—not a political formality—and warned that no amount of public pressure or blackmail would alter the rules.
The commission also denied reports circulating online that it had approved the registration of two new political parties, the “Independent Democrats” and the “Peoples Democratic Movement.”
INEC clarified that these parties were originally registered in 2013 but are no longer active, and no new party has been registered.
It confirmed that the number of registered political parties remains at 19.
Some opposition figures, including former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, had accused INEC of deliberately blocking the emergence of new parties.
Amaechi, speaking in a TV interview, claimed that INEC’s current leadership would not have registered the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, praising former chairman Attahiru Jega for what he called a more transparent approach.
Seun Kuti, musician and son of the late Fela Kuti, also criticized INEC on behalf of the “Movement of the People,” a political group seeking registration.
He argued that since 2018, no new party has been registered, while 72 were deregistered, which he said limits political choices and undermines democracy.
Other notable political figures, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and APC chieftain Salihu Lukman, echoed concerns about INEC’s handling of new party applications.
Reacting to the backlash, INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the allegations and emphasized that all applications must meet specific legal standards. He said the quality—not the volume—of applications mattered most.
According to Oyekanmi, INEC provides consistent feedback to applicants and only considers submissions that comply fully with its 2022 guidelines.
He outlined key registration requirements, including:
A letter of intent with the proposed party’s name, acronym, and symbol submitted at least 12 months before a general election
Payment of a registration fee and submission of required forms
A valid party constitution and manifesto
Evidence of a physical headquarters in Abuja
A membership register with verified details
Federal Character compliance in the national executive structure
He added that applications could be rejected if found to be false or duplicated and that any registration must reflect compliance with the Nigerian Constitution, Electoral Act, and INEC’s regulations.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), INEC reaffirmed that “no new political party has been registered” and urged the public to disregard false claims to the contrary.