The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 14 political associations have cleared the first hurdle in their bid for registration as political parties, while 157 others have failed to meet the preliminary requirements.

Naijaonpoint reports that the decision was taken at INEC’s regular meeting on Thursday, during which the commission also reviewed preparations for the November off-cycle governorship polls and the FCT Area Council elections.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed that INEC received 171 applications.

Olumekun said in a statement, “Each request was assessed based on its prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the Constitution, 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.”

Of the applications, 14 associations satisfied the initial criteria, while 157 did not. INEC said it will notify all applicants of its decision within 24 hours.

Olumekun cautioned that scaling the first stage does not guarantee registration.

“In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the commission will physically verify all claims by each association. The final determination of their registrability will be made after this verification to ensure full compliance with the legal framework,” he explained.

The interim chairmen and secretaries of the 14 associations have been invited to a briefing on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Associations That Scaled the First Hurdle

Among the 14 groups cleared for the next phase are:

African Transformation Party (ATP) – Ikhane Stanley (Chairman), Emmanuel Shaibu (Secretary)

All Democratic Alliance (ADA) – Chief Akin A. Ricketts (Chairman), Abdullahi Musa Elayo (Secretary)

Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC) – Mohammed Kabir (Chairman), Chibuike Onyendilefu (Secretary)

Abundance Social Party (ASP) – Comrade Frank Oruwa (Chairman), Sikiru Oripelaye (Secretary)

African Alliance Party (AAP) – Olusegun Peters (Chairman), Haruna Abubakar (Secretary)

Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA) – Engr. Muazu Magaji (Chairman), Tamunotonye Inioribo (Secretary)

Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) – Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma (Chairman), Munirat Adama (Secretary)

Grassroots Initiative Party (GIP) – Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie (Chairman), Mohammed Abas Kuti (Secretary)

Green Future Party (GFP) – Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye (Chairman), Peace Daful (Secretary)

Liberation People’s Party (LPP) – Hon. Alani Akinde (Chairman), Douglas Aji (Secretary)

National Democratic Party (NDP) – Hon. Ada Okwori (Chairman), Asuquo Edet Alexander (Secretary)

National Reform Party (NRP) – Abdulkadir Mohammed (Chairman), Destiny Ormonigho Odugo (Secretary)

Patriotic Peoples Alliance (PPA) – Hon. John Ughulu (Chairman), Jackie Wayas (Secretary)

Peoples Freedom Party (PFP) – Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe (Chairman), Akintola Michael Alao (Secretary)

The commission reminded stakeholders that political party registration is a continuous process, but subject to strict conditions.

Associations must maintain a national headquarters in Abuja, adopt a unique name and logo, prove nationwide membership, and submit a constitution and manifesto in line with democratic principles.

INEC also warned that it routinely deregisters political parties that fail to meet these standards. In 2020, the commission deregistered 74 political parties following the 2019 general elections due to poor performance and non-compliance.

As of the 2023 elections, Nigeria had 18 recognised political parties.