Political Shockwave: INEC Approves Two New Parties Amid Court Drama

 

In a move set to shake Nigeria’s political terrain, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday announced the registration of two new political parties.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure at the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja. The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Amupitan explained that the registrations followed a rigorous vetting process, after the commission received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking official recognition. Only 14 of these associations passed the initial pre-qualification stage, while eight successfully uploaded their documents for final assessment.

“These 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),” the chairman said.

He added that after the final verification of compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, only the DLA met all legal requirements.

“Accordingly, the commission has decided to register the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) as a political party,” Amupitan said.

The registration of the NDC, he noted, comes following a court order. “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, directed the commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). INEC has complied, and the party is now being formally registered. Certificates of registration will be handed over to both parties in due course,” the chairman added.

Political analysts say the move could redefine alliances and competition ahead of the 2027 general elections, opening the door for fresh political ideas and broader representation across the country.

The announcement is expected to trigger heightened political activity, with parties and stakeholders recalibrating strategies in response to the new entrants.