The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly denied allegations that it is deliberately stalling the registration of new political parties, including the All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—a political movement widely associated with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The Commission’s response comes amid mounting unease within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, as 2027 looms and fresh political realignments gather momentum. Central to these efforts is the ADA, a proposed political vehicle aimed at galvanizing opposition forces to mount a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Monday, El-Rufai voiced growing skepticism among opposition figures, alleging that INEC under Professor Mahmood Yakubu may be dragging its feet on party registration to favor the ruling establishment.
But INEC hit back swiftly and strongly.
During a consultative meeting with civil society organisations in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman Mahmood Yakubu dispelled the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated, reaffirming the Commission’s unwavering commitment to impartiality and due process.
“There are partisan insinuations in some quarters that the Commission is equivocating on the matter in a manner that compromises our independence. Nothing can be further from the truth,” Yakubu declared.
He reminded Nigerians that similar claims were made back in 2013 when INEC was accused of being reluctant to approve the merger that gave birth to the then-opposition APC—an allegation that history later proved false.
Yakubu went further to underscore the Commission’s track record, revealing that under the current leadership, INEC registered the highest number of political parties in Nigerian history.
“For the 2019 general election, we had 91 political parties and 73 presidential candidates. That was the broadest political field this country has ever seen. Yet, the same Commission was criticised for registering too many parties,” Yakubu noted.
In response to those criticisms, he recalled, INEC proceeded—within the framework of the law—to deregister over 70 political parties post-2019, streamlining the nation’s political field.
Professor Yakubu also assured Nigerians and political associations that the Commission remains open, fair, and law-abiding in all registration processes.
“We will treat all applications equitably and transparently. Nigerians will be kept informed every step of the way,” he said.
Despite the push for ADA’s registration, the opposition coalition is reportedly exploring other options, with El-Rufai hinting that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) could serve as an alternative platform, citing its established history and emotional resonance with voters.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, all eyes remain fixed on INEC’s next moves—and whether the ADA or any other emerging alliance can shift Nigeria’s political balance. For now, INEC insists it will not be rushed, intimidated, or politically swayed, holding fast to the mantra: the law, and nothing but the law.
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