As momentum builds ahead of the 2027 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed it has received 91 applications for the registration of new political parties.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions across the political spectrum. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated that the number of applications reflected a lack of unity among opposition leaders, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) saw it as a sign of incompetence within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Labour Party (LP), on the other hand, welcomed the development but called on INEC to thoroughly review all applications before proceeding with the registration process.
The APC, however, accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being behind the push for more political parties, claiming that it would come to nothing as the ruling party was confident of winning the 2027 elections.
Accusations of INEC’s obstruction
The announcement of 91 applications came amid accusations from opposition groups, alleging that INEC was intentionally obstructing the registration of new political parties in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
Salihu Lukman, a key figure in the opposition coalition and former National Vice Chairman of the APC for the North-West, claimed that registered political parties that failed to meet the electoral threshold by winning seats in the previous general elections were at risk of being deregistered.
Lukman further suggested that INEC was frustrating efforts to register new political parties.
He stated, “The only conclusion that can be reached in the circumstance is that INEC has decided that it will not register new parties.”
Opposition’s concern
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticized the creation of new political parties as unnecessary and wasteful.
He argued that opposition leaders did not need multiple parties to challenge the ruling APC but rather a single, united platform.
“What they should do right now is focus more on how to harmonize and have a much more formidable platform,” he said.
Osadolor emphasised the need for the opposition to unify and avoid the fragmentation that multiple political parties could cause. He also pointed out that some of the applications for new political parties were being submitted by people who lacked the structure and technical know-how to build a successful political organization.
Support from other opposition parties
The National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, welcomed the increased political participation, arguing that it demonstrated the growing awareness among Nigerians about the ruling party’s perceived ineptitude.
Johnson, however, reassured that the formation of new parties would not divide the opposition, but might encourage more cooperation and consolidation among existing parties to present a united front against the APC.
Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, agreed that the registration of new political parties was a democratic right and should not be seen as a threat to existing parties.
He added that if any group met the necessary criteria, they should be allowed to register. “The more, the merrier,” he remarked, suggesting that a broader political landscape could only benefit the democratic process.
APC’s dismissal of the applications
APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the efforts to register new political parties as being driven by unsuccessful politicians trying to maintain their relevance.
He specifically pointed to Atiku Abubakar, claiming that even if he attempted to register multiple parties under different identities, it would ultimately result in failure.
Ibrahim stated, “These parties that they are trying to register, they are doing so in anticipation of getting something from the Federal Government, but unknown to them, that no longer exists.”
He described Atiku as a “serial loser” in Nigerian politics, confident that the APC would not be threatened by the push for new political parties.
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