INEC adds 2 new political parties to the existing ones

Elegbede Abiodun

Says Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja ordered INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties — Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) — bringing the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.

Amupitan said DLA emerged as the only association out of 171 applicants to meet registration requirements, while NDC was approved following a court order.

He noted that the associations were assessed in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, and the commission’s regulations and guidelines.

According to him, 14 associations passed the initial pre-qualification stage, eight uploaded required documentation on INEC’s portal, and only two advanced to final verification.

“After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance complied fully with the requirements of the law and was registered effective Feb. 5, 2025,” he said.

He added that the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja ordered INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and the commission complied, with certificates to be issued in due course.

Amupitan also expressed concern over rising internal disputes within political parties, urging leaders to prioritise dialogue over factional conflicts.

He warned that persistent infighting and litigation distract from parties’ core democratic functions, strain judicial resources, and undermine public confidence in the political system.

INEC, he said, remains neutral but expects parties to maintain transparent and cohesive leadership to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.