2027: We Receive Over 100 Political Party Applications – INEC
With the 2027 general elections approaching, more than 100 groups and organisations have submitted applications to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking registration as political parties.
Sources within INEC headquarters in Abuja, speaking anonymously, said that while the applications have been received, the verification process is ongoing.
“We have received over 100 applications from organisations and groups for registration as political parties,” one official told Leadership Weekend. “However, the Commission has not concluded the verification process to determine whether they are qualified to be registered or not. For now, that is the state of affairs as far as the registration of new political parties is concerned.”
The conditions for registration are outlined in Sections 222 to 224 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2022. Requirements include a registered constitution, a functional headquarters in Abuja, democratic internal processes, and membership that reflects the federal character of Nigeria.
Section 75 also requires that applications be submitted at least 12 months before a general election. INEC is then expected to either register the group within 60 days or give written reasons for non-registration within 90 days.
Some political figures have criticised INEC’s handling of the process. Former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, said on AriseTV, “The current chairman of INEC, if he was INEC chairman in 2015, we wouldn’t have won. May God bless Jega…the current man won’t register you. Already he is stopping parties from being registered.”
Salihu Lukman, a former national vice chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also voiced concerns during an interview on Trust TV. He said, “At the moment, and it’s no secret, we have already raised that alarm. More than 70 groups have submitted applications to INEC seeking registration. But INEC is sitting on them.”
He added: “By law, once INEC acknowledges your application, and 90 days pass without formal registration, you’re considered registered. But what’s happening is that even acknowledgements are being withheld. That’s a way of stalling the process, and it undermines the law. INEC is supposed to be an independent body.”
According to him, “The process started more than a year ago, nearly two years. Over 70 applications are just lying there. We’re aware of the risk: that if we file, INEC might simply pile ours with the rest. But we haven’t given up.”
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