The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned a coalition of political groups seeking registration ahead of the 2027 general elections that public pressure or blackmail will not override constitutional and regulatory procedures.
INEC said party registration is not a political declaration but a constitutionally guided process requiring full compliance with strict conditions. It denied recent online reports alleging it had approved two new political parties—the “Independent Democrats” and the “Peoples Democratic Movement.”
This comes amid mounting criticism from political actors, including former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, who accused INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu of deliberately frustrating the registration of new parties.
Appearing on Arise TV, Amaechi compared Yakubu unfavourably to former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, saying, “If the current chairman was in office in 2015, APC would not have been registered. May God bless Jega. He made registration rules clear and transparent. The current chairman can only be compared to Iwu.”
Also pushing for registration is the Movement of the People (MOP), a group inspired by the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. In a statement signed by Protem Chairman and musician Seun Kuti, the group said the lack of new party registrations since 2018 is a major threat to democratic representation.
“Since 2018, no new political party has been registered in Nigeria, while 72 existing parties have been deregistered. This restriction limits citizens’ political choices and undermines true democracy,” Seun Kuti stated.
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Prominent political figures, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and APC chieftain Salihu Lukman, have also voiced concerns over INEC’s reluctance to register new parties.
Responding to these allegations, INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the claims as baseless and emphasized the commission’s commitment to legal requirements.
“Rather than trying to blackmail INEC with unfounded accusations, groups should submit authentic, verifiable documents and comply with all registration conditions,” he told The PUNCH on Monday.
He stressed that registration success depends not on how many applications are submitted but on how many applicants meet the commission’s criteria. He explained that some groups even withdraw their applications before completion.
Oyekanmi noted that INEC keeps applicants informed of their status in line with set timelines, urging associations to follow due process.
He highlighted that registration requirements are clearly detailed in the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, including: a letter of intent submitted at least 12 months before a general election.
According to him, others are proposed name, acronym, and symbol of the party, administrative fee as set by INEC, party constitution and manifesto, proof of lawful occupation of headquarters in Abuja and a detailed register of members, including names, contact details, and sworn affidavits validating authenticity of documents.
Oyekanmi concluded that only groups that meet these rigorous standards would be approved, reaffirming that INEC remains committed to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law in the electoral process.