The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed new parties to comply with constitutional and regulatory requirements for registration. The electoral body warned that party registration is not a political declaration but a constitutional process governed by strict guidelines.
INEC also denied reports of two new parties registered, namely Independent Democrats and the People’s democratic movement. However, the announcement has been criticized by several opposition members, raising concerns about the inclusiveness of the electoral process.
Former minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accused INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, of blocking party registration. Speaking on Arise TV, Amaechi commends the former INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega for a transparent electoral process during his administration.
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He disclosed that his transparency led to the registration and victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2015. Also, the movement of the people, a political group by the late Fela Kuti, expressed their dissatisfaction with the electoral body’s decision.
According to the party chairman, Seun Kuti, Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive if the political space is continuously restricted. Seun expressed that since 2018, no new political party has been registered, while 72 existing parties have been deregistered.
The party chairman emphasized that this restriction limits citizens’ political choices and undermines true democratic representation. Other leaders from different parties have also blamed INEC at different events over the nonregistration of parties ahead 2027 election.
INEC Secretary urge new parties to submit verifiable documents for registration
Reacting to this, secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the claims, stressing the importance of compliance with the body’s regulations. Oyekanmi emphasized that the commission prioritizes quality applications over quantity, adding that qualified applicants will be successfully registered.
He continued that applicants are always updated regarding their submission status within stipulated timelines. Timeliness. The secretary urges applicants to submit verifiable documents rather than trying to blackmail the commission with baseless accusations.
