By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 14 political associations, including the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), have successfully scaled the first major hurdle in their bid to be registered as political parties in Nigeria.
The Commission made the disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun. According to him, the clearance followed a rigorous screening exercise conducted on 171 applications received from various associations seeking recognition as political parties.
Olumekun explained that the 14 successful associations met the prima facie requirements outlined in Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2, and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022, as well as Clause 2 (i and ii) of INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. He noted that while 14 associations passed the test, 157 others did not satisfy the necessary conditions.
“The Commission considered the report of its Committee on the Review of Letters of Intent from associations seeking registration as political parties,” the statement read. “Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage while 157 have not.”
Among those cleared to proceed are the African Transformation Party, the All Democratic Alliance, Advance Nigeria Congress, Abundance Social Party, African Alliance Party, Citizens Democratic Alliance, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Grassroots Initiative Party, Green Future Party, Liberation People’s Party, National Democratic Party, National Reform Party, Patriotic Peoples Alliance and Peoples Freedom Party.
INEC revealed that the interim chairmen and secretaries of the pre-qualified associations have been invited to a crucial briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The next phase of the registration process will require the associations to upload all mandatory documentation to the INEC portal, followed by on-the-spot verification of their claims, including proof of nationwide presence and evidence of functional offices across Nigeria’s states.
Olumekun further clarified that the final determination of the registrability of these associations as full-fledged political parties would only be made after the successful completion of the physical verification exercise. He stressed that the Commission’s approach was designed to ensure transparency, credibility and strict compliance with the legal framework governing political party registration.
Reiterating INEC’s openness to new applicants, the Commissioner emphasized that the registration of political parties is an ongoing process, and any association that meets the statutory requirements stands a chance of being considered.
