The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that no organization has officially applied for registration as a Political Party.
The electoral body emphasized that any group seeking political party status must comply with the established procedures and meet all statutory and administrative conditions required for registration.
Although the commission acknowledged that more than 100 associations have expressed interest, it revealed that none has filed a formal application.
According to INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, what has been received so far are merely letters of intent rather than complete applications.
Olumekun stated: “The truth is that we have so many letters of intent presently and none of them is an application yet.”
This clarification comes amid widespread reports that the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) has requested registration as a political party in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
The ADA is rumored to be associated with a political coalition allegedly backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.
Olumekun reiterated that the submission of a letter of intent is merely the initial step, and that any association wishing to become a political party must first satisfy the prerequisites for registration before filing a formal application.
INEC regulations and guidelines for the registration of new political parties spell out the various processes leading to the registration of any association as a political party.
The regulations and guidelines issued by the INEC for registering new political parties outline specific steps that must be followed by any association seeking official recognition.
According to the Electoral Act 2022, “an association intending to register as a political party shall submit its application to the commission not later than 12 months before a general election.” This provision ensures that all applications are made well in advance of the polls. In addition, the process begins with the submission of a letter of intent.
As stated, “an association intending to be registered as a political party shall submit a letter of intent along with its proposed name, symbol and acronym to the commission.”
Upon receiving the letter of intent, INEC is required to respond within a specified time frame. “The commission shall, within 90 days of receipt of the letter of intent, convey in writing provisional approval of the availability and suitability or otherwise of the proposed name, symbol and acronym to the association.”
If the proposed identity is deemed acceptable, INEC will reserve the name, symbol, and acronym temporarily.
The guidelines state, “The commission shall reserve the proposed name, symbol and acronym for a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of conveying the provisional approval and the association shall within 30 days from the receipt of provisional approval, make payment of an administrative fee as determined by the Commission and obtain a receipt from the Commission.”
