The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Thursday the registration of two new political parties. This was made known by the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
He said the parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
According to him, “You will recall that the commission received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.
“The associations were assessed in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2), and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
“Of these, eight successfully uploaded their documents on the commission’s dedicated portal. They are the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP), and the Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).
“Out of the eight above, only two qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
“After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) was found to have complied fully with the requirements of the law. Accordingly, the Commission has decided to register the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) as a political party, effective from today, 5th February 2026.”
Regarding the registration of NDC, he said, “Furthermore, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr. Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC ordered the commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
“The commission has decided to comply with the order and is being registered as a political party. Certificate of Registration will be handed over to the two new political parties in due course.”
This was Prof. Amupitan’s first meeting with party leaders since his assumption of office in October 2025.
