The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing mounting criticism over alleged delays in processing the registration of over 100 new political associations—an action that many interpret as a deliberate strategy to suppress emerging opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Multiple political groups and coalitions, some formed in the wake of the 2023 general elections, have accused INEC of failing to act on their applications, several months after submission. Among them is the high-profile National Opposition Coalition Group, which aims to field a unified front against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid under a proposed new platform—All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
Critics allege that INEC is not only dragging its feet but also actively undermining Nigeria’s democratic landscape by failing to acknowledge or process applications within the constitutionally mandated timeframe. The Electoral Act 2022 stipulates a 90-day window for action after applications are filed—a requirement many say the electoral body has blatantly ignored.
“It’s been months. INEC hasn’t even acknowledged receipt of our documents,” said Comrade Salihu Lukman, former APC National Vice Chairman (North) and now a leading voice for opposition realignment. Appearing on Trust TV, Lukman painted a grim picture: “The political space is choking. Every viable alternative is being suffocated by an institution that should be promoting democracy, not obstructing it.”
Lukman further alleged that Nigeria is witnessing a troubling phase of “state capture,” where institutions like INEC and the National Assembly no longer act independently, but rather in sync with the ruling party’s interests.
Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, founder of the proposed Patriotic Peoples Party (PPP), echoed Lukman’s concerns. He stated that his group submitted its registration documents to INEC on March 28, 2025, but received only a vague reply in May, advising them to “await the opening of the registration portal.”
“This response is unacceptable. We have fulfilled all legal conditions as outlined in Sections 221 to 224 of the Constitution and Section 75 of the Electoral Act. We demand acknowledgment, or we will seek legal redress,” Okere declared.
Some members of the opposition coalition argue that if INEC had acted promptly, newly formed parties would have had ample time to mobilize grassroots support and prepare for primaries expected to begin in early 2026.
However, not everyone shares the same optimism. Barrister Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), expressed skepticism over the viability of registering new political entities ahead of the 2027 elections. “Legally, no party can be registered within 12 months of a general election,” Udeze stated, noting that by mid-2026, primary elections will be in full swing, leaving little time for new entrants to gain traction.
INEC, on its part, has remained largely silent, though some officials—speaking anonymously—claimed that the commission is still reviewing applications and working to launch a digital portal to streamline the registration process. “The portal is in development, and once it is ready, announcements will be made,” one official revealed.
Responding to rumors that INEC fears litigation from previously deregistered parties, the source added, “No final decision has been made on deregistration or approval. But every action taken will be guided strictly by the law.”
This latest controversy resurfaces memories of INEC’s 2020 deregistration of 74 political parties due to poor performance in the 2019 general elections. The parties failed to win 25% of votes in any state or local government or secure a single legislative seat—grounds which Chairman Mahmood Yakubu cited as justification for the purge.
Only 18 parties survived the mass deregistration, with the Youth Party (YP) and Boot Party (BP) later restored through court rulings—bringing the current total to 19.
Still, many of these surviving parties are seen as dormant, with only a handful actively participating in political discourse. Critics argue that Nigeria’s multi-party system is being reduced to a “two-horse race,” undermining the spirit of democratic plurality.
Opinions among political experts remain sharply divided. Professor Adele Jinadu, a former president of the International Political Science Association, emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy allows for an unlimited number of parties—so long as they meet constitutional requirements.
Dr. Dauda Garuba of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) concurred, saying, “Once legal prerequisites are fulfilled, no institution should act as a gatekeeper to political participation.”
However, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), warned against what he called the “proliferation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)” masquerading as political parties. “Most of these groups lack the organizational depth for national relevance. INEC’s role should be limited to determining ballot access, not licensing parties,” he said.
He added that political decentralization should be encouraged, allowing emerging parties to focus on local elections rather than overextending themselves nationally.
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