Nigeria Now Has 20 Registered Political Parties Following INEC’s Latest Approvals

​​The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expanded Nigeria’s political landscape by approving two additional political parties, bringing the total number of registered parties to 20.

The electoral body revealed that it received no fewer than 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

The commission said the applications were assessed in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

Following an initial screening process, 14 associations that met the prequalification requirements were invited to proceed to the next stage.

Out of the 14, only eight associations successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s dedicated portal.

They are 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

However, after what the commission described as a “thorough assessment and verification of compliance with constitutional and legal requirements,” only two associations qualified for final approval.

INEC confirmed that the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) fully met all statutory requirements and has been officially registered as a political party 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 a document obtained by SaharaReporters.

In addition, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, ordered INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The commission said it had complied with the court directive and added the NDC to the list of officially recognised political 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 the 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 registration of the DLA and the NDC, Nigeria now has 20 officially registered political parties, a development INEC said reflects ongoing efforts to promote democratic participation and political pluralism in the country.