The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties, increasing the total number of recognised political parties in Nigeria to 21 as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) announced the development on Thursday during the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja.
The newly registered parties are:
– Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)— which fully met all statutory requirements after a rigorous screening process.
– Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)— registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order in Lokoja, Kogi State (suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025: Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC).
Amupitan explained that INEC received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration. After pre-qualification, 14 advanced, and 8 successfully uploaded documents via the commission’s portal:
– All Democratic Alliance (ADA)
– Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA)
– Abundance Social Party (ASP)
– African Alliance Party (AAP)
– Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)
– Green Future Party (GFP)
– National Democratic Party (NDP)
– Peoples Freedom Party (PFP)
Only DLA passed the final compliance verification. NDC was added via the court directive.
The NDC has outlined its core focus on governance reforms, youth participation, social justice, equitable resource distribution, transparency, grassroots mobilisation, inclusive economic growth, and strengthening democratic institutions. It positions itself as an alternative platform for Nigerians dissatisfied with the dominant parties.
The latest registrations come amid ongoing debates about Nigeria’s multi-party system. Following mass defections of politicians—including governors and lawmakers—to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposition figures have accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of steering the country toward a one-party state. Tinubu has rejected the claim, urging opposition parties to strengthen their internal structures.
Full List of Nigeria’s 21 Registered Political Parties (as of February 2026):
1. Accord (A)
2. Action Alliance (AA)
3. African Action Congress (AAC)
4. African Democratic Congress (ADC)
5. Action Democratic Party (ADP)
6. All Progressives Congress (APC)
7. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
8. Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
9. Action Peoples Party (APP)
10. Boot Party (BP)
11. Labour Party (LP)
12. National Rescue Movement (NRM)
13. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
14. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
15. Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
16. Social Democratic Party (SDP)
17. Young Progressive Party (YPP)
18. Youth Party (YP)
19. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
20. Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) – newly registered
21. Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – newly registered
