New political parties: Eight associations complete INEC registration requirements

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that eight out of the fourteen associations earlier pre-qualified for registration as political parties have successfully completed the submission of all required documentation.

The eight associations are the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP),National Democratic Party (NDP), and the Peoples Freedom Party (PFP)

This was contained in a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, following the Commission’s regular meeting held on Thursday.

According to Olumekun, the update follows the Commission’s earlier announcement on September 11, 2025, regarding the ongoing registration process for new political parties. He recalled that INEC had held a briefing session with the 14 pre-qualified associations on September 17, after which a dedicated online portal was opened for document uploads between September 18 and October 18, 2025.

The statement informed that as at October 19, 2025, the eight associations had completed the upload of all necessary information and documentation.

Olumekun noted that the next phase of the process will involve a detailed assessment and verification of all submissions to ensure full compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).

He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic culture, emphasizing that the registration process is aimed at ensuring that only associations that meet the legal and procedural standards are approved as political parties.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.