INEC Reviews ADA, Obidients, and 108 Other Party Applications Amid 2027 Election Build-Up

 According to Daily Trust newspaper, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged receiving 110 applications from groups seeking registration as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this known during a media consultative meeting on Wednesday at the commission's headquarters in Abuja. He confirmed that all applications are being processed in accordance with legal guidelines and the commission’s own rules.

Among the applicants are two groups using the acronym ADA—the All Democratic Alliance, supported by a coalition of opposition leaders aiming to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, and the Advanced Democratic Alliance.

Additionally, two associations linked to the Obidient Movement—supporters of Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi—appear as entries 25 and 55 under the names Obidient Peoples Party (OPP) and Obedients Peoples Party.

INEC sources revealed that several applications lacked key documentation, such as the names of interim chairpersons or secretaries, which may delay or disqualify them from approval

Professor Yakubu assured that INEC remains impartial, dismissing allegations of bias.

“There’s no favoritism. All applicants, regardless of their political influence, will be treated equally,” he said.

“Nigerians may recall similar false claims back in 2013. Our track record proves we’ve acted based on the law—registering and deregistering parties as necessary.”

He emphasized that INEC registered 91 parties before the 2019 elections, only to deregister over 70 afterward. “All decisions were in line with the law,” Yakubu stressed, adding that six late applications are still being processed.

The commission also reminded interested groups that the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties are available on INEC’s website.

Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent voice in the opposition coalition, has accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to sabotage the registration of ADA.