NewsNigeriaPoliticsNigeria Gets 21 Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties, increasing the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21 as preparations gather pace for the 2027 general election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced the development on Thursday during the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026, held at its headquarters in Abuja.

The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Amupitan said the approvals followed a rigorous assessment in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

He disclosed that INEC received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties. After an initial screening, 14 associations were prequalified to proceed to the next stage, while only eight successfully uploaded the required documents on the Commission’s dedicated portal.

The eight associations 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 the Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).

“Out of the eight above, only two qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act,” Amupitan said.

“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, 5th February 2026.”

He added that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was registered 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 ordered the Commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. The Commission has decided to comply with the order and is being registered as a political party,” he said.

The INEC Chairman noted that certificates of registration would be presented to the two parties in due course.

He also cautioned political parties against internal leadership crises, warning that persistent disputes and litigations were distracting the Commission from its core responsibilities.

Amupitan urged party leaders to strengthen internal democracy and transparency, stressing that dialogue and adherence to party constitutions were essential to the credibility of the electoral process as the country prepares for off-cycle elections in 2026 and the 2027 general election.

He said the Commission remained committed to working with all registered parties to deepen democratic practice and ensure credible polls across the country.

Beow is the full list of registered political parties in Nigeria:

1. All Progressives Congress (APC).

2. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

3. Accord (A).

4. Social Democratic Party (SDP).

5. Labour Party (LP).

6.All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

7. African Democratic Congress (ADC).

8.Boot Party (BP).

9. Action Democratic Party (ADP).

10. African Action Congress (AAC).

11. Action Alliance (AA).

12. National Rescue Movement (NRM).

13. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

14. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

15. Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

16. Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

17. Action Peoples Party (APP).

18. Young Progressives Party (YPP).

19. Youth Party (YP).

20. Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA).

21. Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).