The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a decisive rebuke to a coalition of political pressure groups seeking registration ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that “no amount of blackmail will override constitutional requirements.”
Responding to mounting criticism and allegations of bias, INEC emphasized that party registration is not a political favor—but a legal process governed by strict rules under Nigeria’s 2022 Regulations and the 1999 Constitution.
“It’s not about how many people you bring to your press conference. It’s about how complete and verifiable your documents are,” said Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman.
⚖️ Transparency vs. Political Pressure
The controversy erupted after several political figures—including former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, and former SGF Babachir Lawal—accused INEC of stonewalling political diversity by refusing to register new parties.
Amaechi even claimed that the APC would never have been registered under the current INEC, drawing comparisons between Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and former electoral boss Maurice Iwu.
But INEC insists it is not playing politics. Instead, it is simply upholding the law.
“Groups must prove national spread, submit constitutions, manifestos, and show proof of FCT headquarters. These are not optional. They are the law,” said Oyekanmi.
The Checklist They Can’t Skip
To be considered for registration, associations must:
-
Submit letters of intent at least 12 months before elections
-
Provide constitutions and manifestos aligned with the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act 2022
-
Show evidence of headquarters within the FCT
-
Prove Federal Character in executive membership (from at least 24 states)
-
Present registers of members with full ID proofs and state of origin
Failure to meet any of these conditions means automatic disqualification.
“It’s not suppression. It’s a sieve for seriousness,” one INEC official told our correspondent anonymously.
No New Party Yet—INEC Debunks Viral Report
INEC also addressed viral misinformation, debunking the false claim that two new parties—Independent Democrats and Peoples Democratic Movement—had been approved. Both were deregistered in 2020 due to poor performance in elections.
“There are still only 19 registered parties in Nigeria. No new party has been added,” INEC tweeted from its verified handle.
The Bigger Question: Is INEC Too Rigid?
Critics argue that INEC’s strict criteria favor established players and stifle innovation and youth participation. Seun Kuti’s Movement of the People, inspired by his father Fela, is among several grassroots platforms being held back by the bottleneck.
“Since 2018, no new political party has been registered. This is a chokehold on democratic plurality,” Kuti said in a passionate statement.
Yet INEC says it is open—but not careless. “Compliance is the only path to registration. We are not the opposition. We are the regulator.”
Democracy or Gatekeeping?
This clash underscores a growing tension in Nigeria’s political evolution: Should electoral openness come with lowered thresholds, or should the bar remain high to prevent mushroom parties with no governance plan?
As 2027 draws closer, the debate over electoral inclusiveness vs electoral integrity will only intensify.
