INEC registers Democratic Leadership Alliance, Nigeria Democratic Congress, confirms February 21, for FCT elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties following the conclusion of its statutory assessment process and compliance with a court order.

Joash Amupitan, chairman of INEC, announced this on Thursday at the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja.

INEC disclosed that it received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties. After screening in line with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Electoral Act 2022 and the commission’s regulations, only 14 associations met the initial prequalification requirements.

The commission said eight of the associations successfully uploaded their documents for further evaluation. They are the All Democratic Alliance, Citizens Democratic Alliance, Abundance Social Party, African Alliance Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Green Future Party, National Democratic Party and Peoples Freedom Party.

According to INEC, only two of the eight progressed to final assessment and verification.

Of these, the Democratic Leadership Alliance was found to have fully complied with constitutional and legal requirements and has been registered as a political party with effect from Thursday, February 5 2026.

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The commission also confirmed the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in compliance with a judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja Kogi State in suit number FHC LKJ CS 49 2025 between Takori Mohammed Sanni and others versus INEC.

INEC said certificates of registration will be presented to the two newly registered political parties in due course.

The commission stressed that party registration remains strictly guided by law and warned that only associations that meet all constitutional and statutory conditions will be recognised.

INEC also expressed concern over growing leadership crises within political parties, urging party leaders to uphold internal democracy and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than litigation, which it said strains public resources and undermines confidence in the political system.

The chairman also confirmed the FCT elections slated for February 21, 2026.

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.