Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared only two political associations to advance to the final stage of the party registration process, according to informed sources, even as the commission faces scrutiny over its handling of the broader registration exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to reports, the only two associations that met INEC’s requirements to progress beyond preliminary screening are the African Alliance Party (AAP) and one other group whose name has also been affirmed by commission insiders. This development comes as many associations that aspired to become full-fledged political parties failed to satisfy key statutory criteria and procedural checks demanded by Nigeria’s electoral laws.
The latest decision marks a dramatic reduction from earlier stages of the registration process, when INEC initially shortlisted fourteen associations that had met the basic statutory requirements following an initial assessment of applications. At that earlier stage, the electoral body had screened over 170 letters of intent from groups seeking political party status, but only a fraction of those associations satisfied the thresholds to move forward.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional and legal framework, associations seeking political party status must demonstrate compliance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022, including effective organisational structures, transparent leadership, and nationwide presence. INEC’s assessment process involves multiple phases, including initial screening, documentation submission, physical verification and statutory compliance checks — a rigorous process designed to ensure that only associations with credible organisational and operational capacity evolve into political parties eligible to contest elections.
The commission’s narrowing of eligible groups to just two at this stage underscores the stringent nature of the regulatory process. INEC has previously emphasised that while many associations register letters of intent, fewer progress as they must satisfy strict documentary, organisational and constitutional conditions to scale the subsequent stages of party registration.
Reaction to the latest development has been mixed. Supporters of the two cleared associations have celebrated the progress as a validation of their organisational preparedness and commitment to political engagement. Observers view the development as significant, especially in a political environment where new parties are often seen as potential vehicles for broadening democratic participation and offering alternatives to established political forces.
However, critics — including convener groups and political activists — have challenged the commission’s criteria and transparency, arguing that the stringent application of registration rules is effectively constraining Nigeria’s political space. Some contend that the reduction of eligible associations could limit the diversity of political voices available to voters ahead of future elections. A key promoter of one association that had earlier cleared preliminary stages argued recently that INEC’s exercise lacked clarity and sufficient public engagement, and expressed concern that the commission had not issued a comprehensive official explanation for the rejection of several groups.
INEC has not yet issued a comprehensive public statement confirming this latest cut to two associations, but the commission’s officials traditionally communicate such decisions through formal releases once internal reviews are complete. The electoral umpire has reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the process for party registration remains transparent, inclusive and in line with established legal frameworks, even while stressing the need to enforce compliance with stringent criteria to protect the integrity of the electoral system.
The final stage of party registration typically involves physical verification, document authentication and inspection of party organisational structures nationwide. Should the two associations successfully complete this process and meet all statutory and regulatory requirements, they would be eligible to be formally registered as political parties under Nigerian law, permitting them to field candidates in elections and participate fully in the democratic process.
Political analysts say the outcome of this exercise will be closely watched as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the registration of new parties seen as an indicator of the evolving political landscape and democratic engagement in Africa’s most populous nation.
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