The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that 14 political associations have met the initial requirements to proceed to the next stage of registration as political parties in Nigeria.

This decision followed the Commission’s regular meeting held on Thursday, where it also reviewed preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC revealed that it received 171 applications from associations seeking registration.

“Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” the commission stated.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: INEC Recognises David Mark-led ADC Leadership

Out of the total applications, only 14 associations satisfied the preliminary legal and procedural criteria to advance, while 157 did not meet the threshold.

“Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage, while 157 have not.

“The commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations in the next 24 hours,” the statement noted.

Olumekun noted that their interim chairmen and secretaries will be invited to a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 am at INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

“The interim Chairmen and Secretaries of the pre-qualified associations are invited to a briefing on Wednesday, 17th September 2025 at 11 am at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja,” he stated.

READ ALSO:Anambra Guber: INEC Releases Total Number Of Registered Voters Ahead Election

INEC emphasised that meeting these initial criteria does not equate to full registration.

The final decision on the registrability of each association will be made after this verification phase to ensure full compliance with the legal framework.

“In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the commission will physically verify all claims by each association in line with our Regulations and Guidelines.

“The final determination of the registrability of the associations as political parties will be made after the physical verification of all their claims to determine compliance with the legal framework,” the statement said.

“We wish to reiterate that party registration is a continuous process under the law. The commission remains open to the consideration of applications that meet the criteria as provided by law,” Olumekun added.

READ ALSO:Why We Are Yet To Recognise ADC Leadership – INEC

Fourteen associations are now cleared for the next phase, including the African Transformation Party, chaired by Ikhane Stanley, with Secretary Emmanuel Shaibu; The All Democratic Alliance is led by Chief Akin A. Ricketts and Secretary Abdullahi Musa Elayo; Mohammed Kabir and Secretary Chibuike Onyendilefu represent the Advance Nigeria Congress; while the Abundance Social Party is represented by Comrade Frank Oruwa and Secretary Sikiru Oripelaye.

The African Alliance Party is headed by Olusegun Peters with Secretary Haruna Abubakar; the Citizens Democratic Alliance is led by Engr. Muazu Magaji and Secretary Tamunotonye Inioribo; Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma and Secretary Munirat Adama lead the Democratic Leadership Alliance; The Grassroots Initiative Party is represented by Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie and Secretary Mohammed Abas Kuti; while the Green Future Party has Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye and Secretary Peace Daful as its interim leaders.

The Liberation People’s Party is chaired by Hon. Alani Akinde with Secretary Douglas Aji; Hon. Ada Okwori and Secretary Asuquo Edet Alexander are at the helm of the National Democratic Party; The National Reform Party is led by Abdulkadir Mohammed and Secretary Destiny Ormonigho Odugo; Also shortlisted are the Patriotic Peoples Alliance represented by Hon. John Ughulu and Secretary Jackie Wayas; and the Peoples Freedom Party chaired by Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe with Secretary Akintola Michael Alao.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday officially recognised the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

This development followed a period of internal restructuring within the party, which culminated in the emergence of new national officers aimed at repositioning the ADC ahead of future electoral contests.

READ ALSO:Why We Are Yet To Recognise ADC Leadership – INEC

Alongside Mark, other principal officers now officially acknowledged by INEC include Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Professor Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.

With this formal endorsement, the ADC leadership is expected to commence a nationwide reconciliation and mobilisation effort, as the party seeks to strengthen its presence across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Details later….

The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic extractions of Warri Federal Constituency have declared boycott of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) implements the final report of the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in the constituency.

In a peaceful protest to the INEC headquarters, Abuja, Tuesday, they expressed deep worry over the ongoing INEC’s CVR in the Federal Constituency.

The protesters who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Warri Federal Constituency: No Ward, No Units for CVR”, “CVR Today is Political Fraud in Warri Federal Constituency”  and “INEC, Give Us the Final Report,” were drawn from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local government areas making up the Federal Constituency.

Spokesman of the groups, Chief David Reje from the Egbema Clan of Warri North Local Government Area, accused INEC of undermining the constitutional rights of the people by conducting the CVR with the “defunct arrangement” that the Supreme Court had earlier nullified.

READ ALSO:[JUST IN] Warri Delineation: DSS Arrests British Army Officer, Others, Seizes 57 AK 47, Six Pump Action, Others

Reje, expressed who displeasure over such old arrangement, noted that despite INEC’s field exercise and stakeholders engagements, which produced a new delineation report in compliance with the apex court judgment, the commission has failed to release and implement the final report.

“Our patience and cooperation are being taken for granted as machinery has been set in place to disenfranchise us from participating in future elections.

“We can no longer wait while our democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgment are being eroded” Chief Reje warned.

He said they had travelled from Warri to Abuja to draw INEC’s attention to their plight, warning that they might be compelled to occupy the commission’s premises until their demands were met.

“They described the move as the second phase of their “non-violent struggle to restore political dignity.”

READ ALSO:Warri Constituency Delineation: Ijaw Leaders Tackle Itsekiri Over Claim

Reje further noted that they had come under “consistent pressure” from their people and could not guarantee that the agitation would remain contained if INEC continued to ignore the court order.

He demanded that INEC must immediately release and implement the delineation report and the CVR should only proceed on the basis of the newly approved electoral arrangements.

“We shall not stand idly by and watch our democratic rights and franchise frittered away. A stitch in time saves nine,” he maintained.

INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdulzuru, in his response assured the peaceful protesters that their concerns over the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation of electoral wards and units will be addressed.

READ ALSO:Renewed Tension In Warri As Itsekiri, Urhobo Youths Clash

He commended the groups for adopting a peaceful approach in presenting their grievances and acknowledged receipt of their formal petition.

“I have listened carefully to your demands and read through your submission. I will tender the documents to the commission,” Abdulzuru said.

He further stressed that INEC is a law-abiding institution with no intention of disenfranchising any group of Nigerians.

“As a commission, we are committed to upholding the law. There is no intention, as far as INEC is concerned, to disenfranchise anybody from any exercise. We will get back to you be rest assured,” he added.