INEC Registers Two New Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections, Bringing Total to 21

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially registered two additional political parties – the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – increasing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.

The announcement was made by the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders in 2026, held at INEC headquarters in Abuja. Amupitan, who succeeded Professor Mahmood Yakubu in October 2025, used the platform to outline the commission’s roadmap for the 2027 general elections.

The Road to Registration

The registration of these two parties followed distinct legal and administrative paths:

• Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA): The DLA was the only association to successfully navigate the “rigorous statutory assessment process” out of 171 initial applicants. According to INEC, the DLA fully complied with all constitutional requirements under the Electoral Act 2022.

• Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC): The NDC was registered following a specific legal directive. A Federal High Court in Lokoja (Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025) ordered INEC to grant the party status, a move the commission complied with to uphold the rule of law.

Consultative Meeting Agenda

Beyond the new registrations, the consultative meeting addressed several critical pillars of the 2027 preparatory phase:

1. Voter Revalidation & CVR: Plans were discussed for a massive Voter Revalidation Exercise to clean the register. Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is set to resume to capture new eligible voters.

2. Addressing Turnout: Strategies to combat the “dwindling voter turnout” observed in recent cycles.

3. Leadership Transitions: The meeting notably included the recently restructured leadership of major opposition parties:

   • Labour Party (LP): Represented by Senator Nenadi Usman (Interim National Chairman).

   • Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Represented by Abdulrahman Mohammed (Chairman, National Caretaker Committee).

4. Election Timetable: While the official 2027 notice is expected 360 days before the poll (per Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act), INEC confirmed it is currently aligning its internal dates with ongoing National Assembly amendments.

Upcoming Electoral Milestones

Before the 2027 general elections, the newly expanded field of 21 parties will test their structures in several key off-cycle polls: