The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 110 associations have submitted letters of intent seeking registration as political parties in preparation for the 2027 general elections, signaling unprecedented political activity ahead of the crucial polls.
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu made this revelation on Wednesday during the commission’s second regular consultative meeting with media executives at the electoral body’s headquarters in Abuja.
The significant number of applications represents a substantial increase in political participation, suggesting growing interest in challenging the established political order as Nigeria approaches its next electoral cycle.
“As at Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties,” Professor Yakubu announced, providing the most recent update on the registration process.
The INEC chairman assured stakeholders that the commission is meticulously handling all applications according to established legal frameworks and internal procedures. “We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law as well as our Regulations and Guidelines,” he stated.
Professor Yakubu confirmed that INEC has acknowledged receipt of the vast majority of applications, with only minor administrative delays affecting the most recent submissions. “We have acknowledged all requests received so far, except six of them received recently, which will be done before the end of the week,” he explained.
In a move toward greater transparency, the electoral commission announced it would publicly release comprehensive details about all 110 associations seeking party status. The information will include proposed party names, acronyms, official addresses, and the identities of interim leadership.
“Meanwhile, the Commission is today releasing the full list of the 110 associations seeking registration as political parties, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, addresses and the names of their protem Chairmen and Secretaries,” Professor Yakubu declared.
The INEC chairman emphasized the commission’s commitment to transparency by announcing multiple publication channels for the information. “For transparency and public information, the list will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms shortly, while hard copies are included in your folders for this meeting,” he told the assembled media executives.
Professor Yakubu also directed attention to existing resources available for prospective political parties, noting that comprehensive guidance documents are readily accessible to interested organizations.
“For emphasis, I wish to inform Nigerians, particularly those interested in registering new political parties, that the handbook containing the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 is already available on the Commission’s website,” he stated.
The surge in political party registration applications comes at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is experiencing significant realignment, with various groups and movements seeking to capitalize on perceived gaps in the current political system.
The 2027 elections are expected to be highly competitive, with President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress likely to seek re-election amid various opposition movements mobilizing across the country.
The registration of new political parties could potentially reshape Nigeria’s electoral dynamics, traditionally dominated by the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with a handful of smaller parties.
INEC’s transparent approach to releasing the complete list of applicant organizations demonstrate
