Party registration: ADA, Obidients, 108 others’ applications under review – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receipt of 110 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, stating that they are being processed in line with legal procedures and the commission’s regulations and guidelines. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Wednesday during the second regular consultative meeting with media executives held […]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receipt of 110 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, stating that they are being processed in line with legal procedures and the commission’s regulations and guidelines.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Wednesday during the second regular consultative meeting with media executives held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Among the list of applicants are two groups with the acronym ADA. The All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—promoted by a coalition of opposition leaders seeking to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027—is listed as number 109.

Another group, the Advanced Democratic Alliance, appears at number 110. Two other associations, believed to be linked to the Obidients Movement loyal to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are listed as numbers 25 and 55 under the names Obidient Peoples Party (OPP) and Obedients Peoples Party, respectively.

It was also observed that some of the associations submitted incomplete documentation, with certain groups omitting either the names of their pro-tem chairmen or secretaries. Sources within the commission said such documentation lapses could hinder the approval of some applications.

Professor Yakubu clarified that the 110 associations had submitted letters of intent as of Monday, 23 June, and that INEC would not give preferential treatment to any applicant, regardless of the social or political status of its promoters.

He also addressed concerns over INEC’s impartiality in processing the applications, describing insinuations of bias as unfounded.

“Clearly, one of the topical issues in election administration today is the status of the letters of intent we received from associations seeking registration amidst partisan insinuations that the commission is equivocating in a manner that compromises our independence.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. Nigerians may recall a similar accusation in 2013, when the commission was alleged to be obstructing a merger of parties because it had ‘merged with the ruling party’ at the time.

“For the record, this commission registered the highest number of political parties in Nigeria’s history, strictly in line with the electoral legal framework. For the 2019 general elections, we had 91 political parties and 73 presidential candidates. We were criticised for registering too many. After the election, over 70 were deregistered, also in accordance with the law.

“Let me reassure Nigerians that we will be guided strictly by the law and will act with fairness toward all associations, irrespective of the status of their promoters—whether ordinary or prominent citizens. Nigerians will be fully briefed at every stage of the process.”

Yakubu added that all applications received had been acknowledged, except for six recent submissions, which would be processed by the end of the week.

“For emphasis, I wish to inform Nigerians, especially those interested in registering new political parties, that the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 are already available on the commission’s website,” he also said.

Recall that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is among the leaders of the coalition of opposition politicians, had raised concerns that the current administration may attempt to frustrate efforts to register a viable opposition.

Speaking on a TV interview on Monday, El-Rufai said, “We suspect the current administration will block any real opposition. Still, we’re proceeding to expose just how compromised INEC is and to challenge the government’s interference.”

Asked whether it would be fair to expect INEC to prioritise the registration of ADA over more than 100 other pending applications, El-Rufai said, “That’s not how it works. This isn’t a queue. INEC can assign teams to handle multiple applications simultaneously. The requirements are straightforward and have been upheld by the Supreme Court. INEC is just making excuses.

“The law is clear: if they don’t respond within the stipulated timeframe, the party is deemed registered. INEC is treading a narrow path and has a chance to prove its independence.”

Obidients’ party registration offers leverage — Yunusa

Speaking with Daily Trust, Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, welcomed the registration efforts, saying it offered the group added leverage in its quest for improved governance in Nigeria.

He revealed that some members of the movement had initiated moves to register a party long before now and stressed that the initiative was not in conflict with the ADA registration being championed by the coalition’s secretariat.

“Even if we are coalescing, we should have something. It is good to have something to protect us,” Yunusa said, noting that previous claims that the coalition lacked a political home no longer held water. He argued that the movement now has viable options to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.

His position buttressed the earlier explanation of El-Rufai that the application to register ADA was a strategic alternative to adopting an existing party as the coalition’s platform to challenge President Tinubu at the polls.

 “You don’t go to war with just one plan. Very early in our discussions, coalition leaders agreed we would pursue both options—identify an existing party that suits us all and simultaneously explore registering a new one,” he said.

INEC must be fair — Prof. Fage

Commenting on the development, renowned political scientist Professor Kamilu Sani Fage said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must demonstrate fairness and neutrality in reviewing the applications for party registration, especially given the growing concerns among opposition groups about the commission’s impartiality.

“With the opposition raising questions about INEC’s objectivity, the commission must act — and be seen to act — as an impartial arbiter. It must not be perceived as leaning towards any political party because today’s opposition can be tomorrow’s ruling party,” Prof. Fage told Daily Trust in an interview.

He warned that a failure to handle party registration transparently and equitably could erode public trust in INEC’s ability to conduct free and credible elections in 2027.

“If INEC is not seen to be fair in managing party affairs—including the registration process—it will seriously undermine the confidence citizens have in its capacity to oversee a fair electoral process,” he said.

Fage also noted that there was nothing unusual or unlawful about over 100 associations seeking registration as political parties, stressing that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of association and mandates a multiparty system.

He, however, added that while the volume of applications may raise concerns, INEC has a responsibility to screen out unserious or ineligible groups in line with its guidelines.

“There’s no doubt that some of the applicants may not qualify as viable political parties. INEC must apply its regulations strictly and weed out those that do not meet the required criteria to function as active political parties in the country,” he said.

By-elections, CVR to resume nationwide

Meanwhile, the INEC chairman has said the commission is now prepared to conduct outstanding by-elections in 16 constituencies and to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide.

He stated that INEC had completed major internal processes and would, within the next 24 hours, release the full schedule for both the by-elections and the CVR exercise.

This comes amid growing pressure on the commission to fill legislative vacancies and provide opportunities for eligible Nigerians—particularly first-time voters and those who have relocated—to register ahead of upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections.

He noted that Wednesday’s meeting was being held amid two major electoral exercises: the conduct of party primaries for the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and preparations for the Anambra State governorship election.

He noted that, according to INEC’s timetable, party primaries for the FCT elections are scheduled to end on Monday, June 30, 2025.

The elections will cover 68 constituencies comprising chairmen and their deputies across six area councils—Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—as well as 62 wards (10 per council, with AMAC having 12 due to its larger population).