By Nkechi Eze
As Nigeria steadily marches toward the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expanded the nation’s political landscape with the registration of two new political parties, even as it raised concern over the growing culture of internal crises and protracted litigations within party structures.
The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing renewed activity to the country’s multi-party democracy and signalling increased political participation ahead of the next electoral cycle.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced the development on Thursday in Abuja during the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for the year 2026. He explained that while 171 associations had formally indicated interest in being registered as political parties, only two ultimately met the constitutional and legal thresholds for registration.
Professor Amupitan recalled that the Commission received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration and subjected them to rigorous assessment in line with the provisions of Sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
According to him, after the initial screening, only 14 associations satisfied the pre-qualification requirements and were invited to advance to the next stage of the process. Out of this number, eight successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s dedicated online portal. The eight 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 Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).
He further explained that upon detailed evaluation, only two of the eight associations met all the conditions for final assessment and verification of compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
“Out of the eight, only two qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) was found to have complied fully with the requirements of the law. Accordingly, the Commission has decided to register the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) as a political party, effective from today,” Amupitan said.
The INEC Chairman added that the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was not through the administrative process but as a result of a court order.
He disclosed that the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barrister Takori Mohammed Sanni and others versus INEC, directed the Commission to register the NDC as a political party.
“In compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lokoja, the Commission has decided to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. Certificates of Registration will be handed over to the two new political parties in due course,” he stated.
Beyond party registration, Professor Amupitan expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of internal wrangling among party leaderships, which he said has become a major distraction to both political parties and the electoral management body.
He noted that frequent leadership tussles often spill into needless legal battles that overstretch the judicial system and consume enormous public resources, while also dragging INEC into disputes that fall outside its core responsibilities.
“These numerous litigations, in which the Commission often finds itself joined as a party, divert our attention from our primary mandate, which is to ensure free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria,” he said.
The INEC Chairman warned that the implications of persistent party crises are far-reaching, creating uncertainty among party members and supporters, eroding public confidence in the political system, and weakening democratic institutions.
He observed that rather than focusing on mobilising voters, developing policies and engaging citizens on national issues, many parties are trapped in cycles of internal disputes that undermine their relevance and effectiveness.
While reaffirming INEC’s neutrality as an independent constitutional body, Professor Amupitan stressed that cohesive, transparent and accountable leadership within political parties is essential to the survival and growth of Nigeria’s democracy.
He therefore urged party leaders to embrace constructive dialogue, resolve disagreements internally, promote unity within their organisations, and channel their energies toward issue-based politics and meaningful engagement with the electorate.
On his part, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Yusuf Dantalle, underscored the enormous constitutional responsibility placed on INEC, describing the Commission as the custodian of Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
Dr Dantalle said INEC must continue to remain independent, neutral, fair, firm and decisive in the conduct of elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive, adding that its credibility is tested each time Nigerians go to the polls.
He also called on INEC to be guided strictly by the constitutions of political parties when dealing with leadership disputes, particularly in terms of recognising and publishing the legitimate leadership of parties on its website.
According to him, such recognition confers legitimacy and determines the officials with whom the Commission formally engages, and strict adherence to this principle would dispel perceptions of bias, complicity or interference in internal party affairs.
Dr Dantalle noted that unresolved leadership crises and persistent litigations have, in many cases, prevented some political parties from fielding candidates for elections, thereby weakening multiparty democracy and stalling national development.
He stressed that reducing internal party conflicts and legal battles is crucial to building stable political institutions capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for stronger cooperation between INEC and political parties, as well as a collective commitment to uphold internal democracy, rule of law and peaceful political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
