The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties.
The Chairman of the commission, Joash Amupitan, made this known on Thursday, February 5, during INEC’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties held in Abuja.
The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Amupitan explained that the registrations followed a rigorous assessment process after the commission received 171 letters of intent from various associations seeking recognition as political parties.
According to him, 14 associations scaled the initial pre-qualification stage, while only eight successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s dedicated portal. These included 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).
Amupitan noted that out of the eight associations, only two advanced to the final stage of assessment and verification for compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
“Following the final review, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) met all the legal requirements. Accordingly, the commission has approved its registration as a political party,” he said.
He added that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was registered in compliance with a court order.
“The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr. Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC, ordered the commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The commission has decided to comply with the order, and the party is accordingly registered,” Amupitan stated.
He further disclosed that certificates of registration would be presented to the two newly registered political parties in due course.
