The Nigeria’s electoral body (INEC) has approved the registration of two additional political parties, raising the total number of officially recognised parties in the country to 20.
The commission explained that many groups are still interested in becoming political parties. It said it received about 171 letters from different associations that declared their intention to register.
Officials noted that each application was examined using the legal rules guiding party registration. These include Sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
After the first review, only 14 associations met the basic conditions and were allowed to move to the next phase of the process. However, just eight of them were able to submit the required documents through the commission’s online portal.
The eight groups listed were the All Democratic Alliance, Citizens Democratic Alliance, Abundance Social Party, African Alliance Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Green Future Party, National Democratic Party, and Peoples Freedom Party.
Only Two Scale Final Hurdle
Following further checks, the commission carried out what it described as a detailed review to confirm that each group met all constitutional and legal standards. At the end of this stage, only two associations successfully satisfied the final requirements.
The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) was confirmed to have completed every condition and was granted full registration. The commission announced its approval with effect from February 5, 2025.
Accordingly, the Commission has decided to register the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) as a political party, effective from today, 5th February 2025,” INEC stated.
In another development, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, directed the commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The electoral body said it obeyed the court’s order and included the NDC among the recognised parties.
“Furthermore, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC ordered the Commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party,” the document read.
The Commission has decided to comply with the order and the party is being registered. Certificates of registration will be handed over to the two new political parties in due course.”
With the addition of the DLA and the NDC, the number of registered political parties in Nigeria now stands at 20. The commission said the development shows its continued effort to encourage wider participation and strengthen democracy in the country.
