The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties — the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) — ahead of the 2027 general elections, while disqualifying 170 other associations for not meeting constitutional conditions.
INEC said the registration of the NDC followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Mr. Takori Mohammed Sanni and others versus the commission, which directed that the association be recognized as a political party.
The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Thursday in Abuja during the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026.
According to him, the commission received 171 letters of intent from various associations seeking political party status. Each application was reviewed in line with relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s regulations and guidelines for political parties.
He explained that only 14 associations met the initial screening criteria and were invited to move on to the next phase of the registration process, while the others failed to satisfy the constitutional and regulatory requirements.
