Politics
INEC Shortlists 14 Associations for Political Party Registration in Abuja
Onyenobi Chinwendu Samuel
September 11, 2025
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, announced that 14 political associations have successfully scaled the first stage of screening towards becoming fully registered political parties in Nigeria. The disclosure was made at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, where officials confirmed that out of 171 associations that applied for registration, only 14 met the initial requirements, while 157 others were disqualified for failing to satisfy constitutional and Electoral Act provisions.
The shortlisted associations include: African Transformation Party (ATP), All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Grassroots Initiative Party (GRIP), Green Future Party (GFP), Liberation People’s Party (LPP), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Reform Party (NRP), Patriotic Peoples Alliance (PPA), and Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).
According to INEC, these 14 groups will now proceed to the second stage of verification, which includes physical inspection of their national headquarters, examination of membership registers, proof of nationwide presence, and compliance with constitutional provisions. Only after fulfilling these conditions will they be issued certificates of registration as political parties.
INEC explained that the other 157 associations were denied at this stage because they either failed to submit complete documentation, lacked verifiable offices, or did not demonstrate the required national spread as stipulated by law. The Commission, however, emphasized that disqualified groups still have the right to re-apply once they can meet the necessary standards.
The development carries strong political implications, particularly with the emergence of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which is reportedly backed by a coalition of prominent opposition figures. Although ADA has not yet been registered, clearing the first stage signals momentum for the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its Coalition-P bloc, the unfolding scenario presents both opportunities and uncertainties. While ADC retains its status as a duly registered party, the possible emergence of ADA or other new platforms may reshape coalition dynamics, alliances, and the broader opposition strategy against the ruling party.
INEC reiterated its commitment to transparency and compliance with the law, stressing that only groups that fully meet the requirements of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022 will be accorded full party status.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
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