INEC Confirms 110 New Party Applications Under Review, Including ADA and Obidient-linked Groups
Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced it is currently reviewing 110 applications from various associations seeking registration as new political parties. Among the high-profile applicants are groups associated with the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a coalition reportedly formed to challenge the incumbent administration in 2027, and two distinct associations believed to be linked to the “Obidient Movement” loyal to Peter Obi.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, disclosed this on Wednesday during the second regular consultative meeting with media executives at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He confirmed that all 110 associations had submitted their letters of intent as of Monday, June 23rd, adding that their processing adheres strictly to legal procedures, INEC regulations, and guidelines.
Prominent among the list of applicants are two groups bearing the acronym ADA. The “All Democratic Alliance (ADA),” positioned as a coalition of opposition leaders aiming to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections, is listed as application number 109. Another association, “Advanced Democratic Alliance,” appears consecutively at number 110.
Furthermore, two associations widely believed to be affiliated with the “Obidient Movement,” which coalesced around the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have also submitted applications. These are listed as “Obidient Peoples Party (OPP)” at number 25 and “Obedients Peoples Party” at number 55.
Sources within the commission have noted that some of the submitted documentation is incomplete, with certain groups omitting crucial details such as the names of their pro-tem chairmen or secretaries. Such lapses, the sources indicated, could potentially hinder the approval process for those applications.
Addressing concerns about the commission’s impartiality in processing these applications, Professor Yakubu firmly dismissed insinuations of bias as unfounded.
“Clearly, one of the topical issues in election administration today is the status of the letters of intent we received from associations seeking registration amidst partisan insinuations that the commission is equivocating in a manner that compromises our independence. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Professor Yakubu stated.
He recalled similar accusations leveled against INEC in 2013, when it was alleged to be obstructing a party merger, likening it to merging with the then-ruling party.
Professor Yakubu reiterated INEC’s historical commitment to due process, noting that the commission had registered the highest number of political parties in Nigeria’s history, strictly in line with the electoral legal framework. He cited the 2019 general elections, which featured 91 political parties and 73 presidential candidates, acknowledging the criticism received for registering too many. Post-election, over 70 parties were deregistered in accordance with the law.
“Let me reassure Nigerians that we will be guided strictly by the law and will act with fairness toward all associations, irrespective of the status of their promoters—whether ordinary or prominent citizens. Nigerians will be fully briefed at every stage of the process,” Professor Yakubu concluded, vowing transparency and adherence to legal frameworks throughout the review process.
