Just In: INEC Registers Two New Political Parties – DLA and NDC

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially registered two new political parties, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), increasing the number of registered political parties in Nigeria from 19 to 21.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the announcement today during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders at its headquarters in Abuja.

Prof. Amupitan explained that the commission received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

Following a rigorous screening process, 14 associations were pre-qualified, 8 submitted the required documentation, and only the DLA fully satisfied all constitutional, legal, and regulatory requirements under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC guidelines.

“Accordingly, the commission has decided to register the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) as a political party, effective from today, February 5, 2026,” he stated.

The registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) came via compliance with a Federal High Court order issued in Lokoja, Kogi State, directing INEC to register the association as a political party.

Certificates of registration are expected to be presented to the leadership of both parties in the coming days.

The development expands Nigeria’s multi-party democracy landscape as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

Prof. Amupitan used the occasion to appeal to existing political parties to prioritize internal harmony and dialogue in resolving disputes.

He warned that prolonged leadership crises, factionalism, and litigation risk weakening the democratic process and eroding public confidence in the electoral system.

“Political parties must embrace reconciliation and constitutional mechanisms to settle differences rather than endless court battles, which distract from building strong institutions and preparing for credible elections,” the INEC chairman emphasized.

The registrations follow INEC’s earlier announcement that 14 associations—including the DLA—had advanced to later stages of scrutiny in September 2025. While most applicants fell short, the DLA’s success on merit and the NDC’s court-mandated inclusion highlight both the commission’s strict standards and the role of judicial intervention in party formation.

Stakeholders, including civil society groups and opposition figures, have welcomed the addition of new platforms but called for transparency in the parties’ structures, funding, and ideological clarity to ensure they contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s political evolution.