KEY POINTS

• INEC has registered the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the National Democratic Congress ahead of 2027.

• The DLA met all statutory requirements, while the NDC was registered following a court order.

• The registrations raise the total number of recognised political parties in Nigeria to 21.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has formally registered two new political parties as preparations gather pace for the 2027 general elections.

The development was confirmed on Wednesday by INEC’s national chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties at its headquarters in Abuja.

The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing the total number of recognised political parties in Nigeria to 21.

Addressing party chairmen and secretaries at the meeting, Prof. Amupitan explained that the two parties were registered under different circumstances.

He said the Democratic Leadership Alliance successfully met all statutory and constitutional requirements stipulated by the commission for the registration of a political party.

In contrast, he noted that the National Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with an order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja.

“While the Democratic Leadership Alliance satisfied the administrative and constitutional benchmarks set by the commission, the National Democratic Congress is being brought on board strictly in obedience to a judicial pronouncement,” Amupitan said.

Certificates and Next Step

The INEC boss informed representatives of the two new parties that their certificates of registration would be presented at a brief official ceremony in the coming days.

He said the issuance of certificates would formally enable the parties to operate nationwide, field candidates for elections, and take part in INEC-organised engagements with political parties.

Amupitan urged the leadership of the new parties to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act, INEC regulations, and codes of conduct guiding political activities in Nigeria.

Political analysts say the registration of additional parties could further broaden choices available to voters ahead of the 2027 elections, even as concerns persist about the proliferation of smaller parties with limited grassroots structures.

Nigeria has witnessed several cycles of party deregistration and fresh registrations in recent years, reflecting ongoing debates about the balance between encouraging political participation and maintaining a manageable number of viable parties.

INEC maintained that its role is not to determine the popularity or strength of parties, but to ensure that those seeking registration meet legal requirements.

As preparations for the 2027 polls gradually take shape, the commission said it will continue to engage political stakeholders to strengthen the credibility of the electoral process and deepen democratic governance.