The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged receiving 110 letters of intent from political associations seeking registration ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. According to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, 104 of these applications have been officially acknowledged, while the remaining six—submitted more recently—will be processed within the week. Addressing journalists during a regular consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja, Yakubu dismissed allegations suggesting the Commission is stalling the registration process or showing bias. He emphasized that INEC remains committed to treating all applications fairly, regardless of the influence or background of the promoters. He referenced similar claims made in 2013 when the Commission was accused of obstructing opposition mergers, asserting that such insinuations are baseless.
Yakubu also reiterated INEC’s commitment to transparency, noting that the names, acronyms, addresses, and interim officials of all 110 associations will be published on the Commission’s official platforms for public scrutiny. Among the applicants are political groups associated with high-profile movements, such as the Movement of the People (MOP), reportedly backed by activist-musician Seun Kuti, as well as the Obidient Peoples Party and the Advanced Democratic Alliance (ADA), both believed to have ties to opposition-leaning constituencies.
This surge in applications comes as INEC prepares for the 2026 FCT Area Council elections and the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration nationwide. The Commission maintains that all applications will be evaluated strictly under the Electoral Act and its 2022 guidelines for political parties, underscoring its resolve to uphold due process and fairness in the buildup to the next election cycle.
