The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties, raising the number of officially recognised political parties in Nigeria to 20.

The commission disclosed that it received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

According to INEC, 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, 14 associations that met the prequalification requirements were invited to proceed to the next stage. 

However, only eight associations successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s dedicated portal.

The associations include the All Democratic Alliance, Citizens Democratic Alliance, Abundance Social Party, African Alliance Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party, National Democratic Party, and Peoples Freedom Party.

Only Two Scale Final Hurdle

INEC said that after a “thorough assessment and verification of compliance with constitutional and legal requirements,” only two associations qualified for final approval.

The commission confirmed that the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) fully met all statutory requirements and was 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).

INEC 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 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 NDC, INEC said Nigeria now has 20 registered political parties, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote democratic participation and political pluralism in the country.