The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 14 political associations, including the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), have successfully passed the initial screening in their bid to be registered as political parties in Nigeria.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
Olumekun said the clearance followed a rigorous screening exercise conducted on 171 applications submitted by various associations seeking recognition as political parties.
The National Commissioner explained that the 14 successful associations met the prima facie requirements outlined in Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 79(1, 2, and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022, and Clause 2 (i and ii) of INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. Meanwhile, 157 associations did not satisfy the necessary conditions.
“The Commission considered the report of its Committee on the Review of Letters of Intent from associations seeking registration as political parties,” the statement read. “Out of the total applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage, while 157 have not.”
The associations cleared to proceed include the African Transformation Party, All Democratic Alliance, Advance Nigeria Congress, Abundance Social Party, African Alliance Party, Citizens Democratic Alliance, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Grassroots Initiative Party, Green Future Party, Liberation People’s Party, National Democratic Party, National Reform Party, Patriotic Peoples Alliance, and Peoples Freedom Party.
INEC revealed that the interim chairmen and secretaries of the pre-qualified associations have been invited to a crucial briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The next phase will require these associations to upload all mandatory documentation to the INEC portal, followed by on-the-spot verification, including proof of nationwide presence and evidence of functional offices across Nigeria’s states.
Olumekun emphasized that the final determination of these associations’ eligibility as full-fledged political parties would only be made after successful physical verification.
He stressed that the Commission’s approach ensures transparency, credibility, and strict compliance with the legal framework governing political party registration.
Reiterating INEC’s openness to new applicants, the Commissioner noted that party registration is an ongoing process and any association meeting the statutory requirements stands a chance of being considered.