2027: 151 new parties indicate interest, submit forms, says INEC

Nigeria’s Political Landscape Shifts as INEC Receives 151 New Party Applications Ahead of 2027 Elections

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a dramatic surge in applications from political associations seeking official party status. A total of 151 groups have submitted forms, signaling a potential reshaping of the nation’s political terrain.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that the commission is currently shortlisting qualified associations. The final list will be released after the August 16 by-elections, and details, including proposed names, acronyms, logos, and interim leadership, are already available on INEC’s website.

Voter Registration Relaunch: A Push for Participation

In tandem with party registration, INEC is preparing to resume its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The process will unfold in two phases:

• Online pre-registration begins August 18, 2025
• In-person registration starts August 25, 2025
• Both phases will run until August 30, 2026

Registration will be conducted at 811 centres nationwide, including all 774 Local Government offices and 37 State and FCT offices, operating weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To ease access, INEC will launch a CVR Live Locator on August 17, allowing citizens to find nearby registration centres via cvr.inecnigeria.org/locator.

ADC Leadership Dispute: A Test of INEC’s Responsiveness

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally requested INEC to recognize its newly appointed National Working Committee (NWC). The leadership change, approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), was communicated to INEC in a letter dated July 29.

Despite INEC’s supervision of the NEC meeting, the commission has yet to update its portal to reflect the new leadership. ADC’s Deputy National Welfare Secretary, David Itopa, expressed concern over the delay, urging Nigerians to question INEC’s inaction.

Security Concerns: Early Campaigns Raise Alarms

Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has warned that premature political campaigns pose a serious threat to national security. In an interview with Arise News, Ejiofor claimed that over 80% of Nigeria’s insecurity is politically driven, and criticized political parties for engaging in campaign activities two years before the elections.

Ejiofor urged INEC to move beyond issuing warnings and instead enforce its rules with sanctions. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize governance over electioneering, warning that early political alignments and coalitions could exacerbate existing security challenges.

Looking Ahead: Opportunity or Overload?

The influx of new party applications reflects a growing desire for political alternatives, but it also raises concerns about fragmentation, voter confusion, and administrative overload. As INEC navigates this complex landscape, its ability to maintain transparency, enforce regulations, and foster voter engagement will be critical to the integrity of the 2027 elections.