By: Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties—the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)—as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced this on Thursday in Abuja during the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026.
Amupitan explained that the commission received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.
“You will recall that the commission received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties. The associations were assessed in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022; as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022,” he said.
According to him, only 14 associations met the initial prequalification requirements and were invited to proceed to the next stage of the process.
Out of these, eight successfully uploaded their documents on the commission’s dedicated portal, while only two qualified for final assessment and verification of compliance with constitutional and electoral requirements.
“After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) was found to have complied fully with the requirements of the law. Accordingly, the commission has decided to register the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) as a political party, effective today, February 5, 2026,” Amupitan announced.
He added that INEC also decided to comply with a Federal High Court order directing the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The commission has decided to comply with the order, and the party is hereby registered as a political party. Certificates of registration will be handed over to the two new political parties in due course,” he said.
The INEC chairman cautioned political parties against internal leadership disputes and excessive litigation, noting that such practices erode public confidence and distract the commission from its core responsibilities.
He also urged parties to mobilise their supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the February 10 deadline, while warning against vote buying.
Amupitan further disclosed that a nationwide voter revalidation exercise would soon commence to clean up the voters’ register, stressing that a credible register remains the foundation of free, fair, and transparent elections.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) congratulated Amupitan on his appointment and called on INEC to remain firm, impartial, and transparent as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
IPAC also urged the harmonisation of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework ahead of 2027 and advocated making real-time transmission of results to the IReV portal mandatory.
