…see list and their representatives
The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that 14 political associations have met the initial requirements to proceed to the next stage of registration as political parties in Nigeria.
This decision followed the Commission’s regular meeting held on Thursday, where it also reviewed preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC revealed that it received 171 applications from associations seeking registration.
“Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” the commission stated.
Out of the total applications, only 14 associations satisfied the preliminary legal and procedural criteria to advance, while 157 did not meet the threshold.
“Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage, while 157 have not.
“The commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations in the next 24 hours,” the statement noted.
Olumekun noted that their interim chairmen and secretaries will be invited to a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 am at INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
“The interim Chairmen and Secretaries of the pre-qualified associations are invited to a briefing on Wednesday, 17th September 2025 at 11 am at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja,” he stated.
INEC emphasised that meeting these initial criteria does not equate to full registration.
The final decision on the registrability of each association will be made after this verification phase to ensure full compliance with the legal framework.
“In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the commission will physically verify all claims by each association in line with our Regulations and Guidelines.
“The final determination of the registrability of the associations as political parties will be made after the physical verification of all their claims to determine compliance with the legal framework,” the statement said.
“We wish to reiterate that party registration is a continuous process under the law. The commission remains open to the consideration of applications that meet the criteria as provided by law,” Olumekun added.
Fourteen associations are now cleared for the next phase, including the
1. African Transformation Party, chaired by Ikhane Stanley, with Secretary Emmanuel Shaibu;
2. All Democratic Alliance, led by Chief Akin A. Ricketts and Secretary Abdullahi Musa Elayo;
3. Advance Nigeria Congress; Mohammed Kabir and Secretary Chibuike Onyendilefu represent the
4. Abundance Social Party is represented by Comrade Frank Oruwa and Secretary Sikiru Oripelaye.
5. African Alliance Party is headed by Olusegun Peters with Secretary Haruna Abubakar;
6. Citizens Democratic Alliance is led by Engr. Muazu Magaji and Secretary Tamunotonye Inioribo;
7. Democratic Leadership Alliance; Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma as chairman and Secretary Munirat Adama
8. Grassroots Initiative Party is represented by Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie and Secretary Mohammed Abas Kuti;
9. Green Future Party has Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye and Secretary Peace Daful as its interim leaders.
10. Liberation People’s Party is chaired by Hon. Alani Akinde with Secretary Douglas Aji;
11. National Democratic Party; Hon. Ada Okwori as chairman and Secretary Asuquo Edet Alexander
12. National Reform Party is led by Abdulkadir Mohammed and Secretary Destiny Ormonigho Odugo;
13. Patriotic Peoples Alliance represented by Hon. John Ughulu and Secretary Jackie Wayas;
14. Peoples Freedom Party chaired by Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe with Secretary Akintola Michael Alao.
