The Nigerian electoral authority, INEC, has confirmed that 110 associations have submitted formal applications to be registered as political parties in anticipation of the country’s 2027 general elections.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, revealed the development at a media briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday. According to Yakubu, the commission remains committed to impartiality and due process in assessing each submission.
“We are processing all applications in line with the Electoral Act, as well as our own regulations and party registration guidelines,” he explained. “We do not discriminate based on the identity or status of the promoters – whether they are well-known public figures or private citizens.”
He noted that while most of the applications had been acknowledged, six recent submissions would be processed by the end of the week. The commission also plans to publish the full list of applicants, complete with proposed names, addresses, and interim leadership details.
To ensure public transparency, the list will be made available on the commission’s website and across its social media platforms. Hard copies have also been distributed to members of the media attending the meeting.
Reacting to public speculation regarding INEC’s neutrality, Yakubu firmly rejected claims that the commission may be showing favouritism. He referred to similar claims made in 2013 and insisted that INEC’s history shows consistency with the law.
“In 2019, there were 91 political parties and 73 presidential contenders. Following the election, we de-registered more than 70 political parties, strictly in line with legal provisions,” he said.
In addition, Yakubu announced that INEC is now ready to proceed with the conduct of overdue by-elections and resume the Continuous Voter Registration process across the country.
He also provided updates on forthcoming elections: political parties have completed their primaries for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, and information on constituencies has been published online. For the Anambra governorship election scheduled for August, campaigns began on 11 June and will end on 6 November.
Media professionals were encouraged to apply early for accreditation. The President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahaya, praised INEC’s openness and called on the commission to ensure the safety of journalists, especially during the Anambra poll.
