Amanze Chinonye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that persistent internal crises and leadership disputes within political parties pose a growing threat to Nigeria’s democratic process, even as it registered two new political parties, bringing the total number of registered parties to 21.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, issued the warning on Thursday during the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political party leaders at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, where the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) were formally announced as newly registered parties.
Amupitan said while the commission remains committed to upholding the constitutional right of associations to register as political parties, it is increasingly concerned about the frequency of internal party disputes, many of which end up in court and place unnecessary pressure on the judiciary and the electoral process.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe urged party leaders to strengthen internal democracy, conflict-resolution mechanisms and adherence to party constitutions, stressing that political parties remain critical institutions in Nigeria’s democratic system.
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Beyond the registration announcement, the INEC chairman provided insight into the rigorous screening process that preceded the approval of the new parties. According to him, INEC received 171 requests from associations seeking registration as political parties in the past year.
Following an initial stage of scrutiny, 157 applications were disqualified, leaving 14 associations. Of these, only eight successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s dedicated registration portal.
The eight associations were the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).
However, Amupitan said that only two associations qualified for final assessment and verification in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
“After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) was found to have complied fully with the requirements of the law,” he said, adding that the party’s registration took effect in February 2026.
INEC also disclosed that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was registered following a Federal High Court order issued in Lokoja, Kogi State, directing the commission to recognise the party.
The 21 registered political parties in Nigeria are:
- Accord (A)
- Action Alliance (AA)
- African Action Congress (AAC)
- African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Action Democratic Party (ADP)
- All Progressives Congress (APC)
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
- Action Peoples Party (APP)
- Boot Party (BP)
- Labour Party (LP)
- National Rescue Movement (NRM)
- New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
- Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Young Progressive Party (YPP)
- Youth Party (YP)
- Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
- Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)
- Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
Prof. Amupitan said the expanded party system underscores the importance of compliance, discipline and internal democracy for sustaining Nigeria’s multi-party framework, stressing that INEC will continue to monitor all parties to ensure they adhere to constitutional and electoral requirements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
