By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has revealed that it has received letters of intent from 110 associations wishing to register as political parties.
This announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, during the second Regular Consultative Meeting with Media Executives held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Addressing concerns regarding the registration process, Yakubu said as against the insinuation that the Commission has compromised its independence, INEC has adhered strictly to the electoral legal framework more than any other time in the history of the nation.
“Clearly, one of the topical issues on election administration in our country today is the status of the letters of intent we received from associations seeking registration as political parties amidst partisan insinuations in some quarters that the Commission is equivocating on the matter in a manner that compromises our independence. Nothing can be further from the truth.
“Nigerians may recall that the same unfounded accusation was made under similar circumstances in 2013 that the Commission was not keen on the proposed merger of political parties because INEC had “merged with the ruling party” at the time,” Yakubu said.
He added that the Commission was similarly criticized in the 2019 General Election in some quarters for registering too many political parties, having registered 91 parties and 73 presidential candidates as provided by the law.
The INEC Chairman however reassured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to act fairly and transparently in processing the requests from associations seeking registration, regardless of the status of their promoters.
As of June 23, 2025, INEC has acknowledged all but six of the requests received, which will be processed by the end of the week. “For emphasis, I wish to inform Nigerians, particularly those interested in registering new political parties, that the handbook containing the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 is already available on the Commission’s website,” he added.
He announced that “the Commission is today releasing the full list of the 110 associations seeking registration as political parties indicating their proposed names, acronyms, addresses and the names of their protem Chairmen and Secretaries.
“For transparency and public information, the list will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms shortly while hard copies are included in your folders for this meeting.”
Yakubu also discussed ongoing electoral activities, including the primaries for the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which will conclude on June 30, 2025.
He noted that the election will cover 68 constituencies, including Chairmen and their Deputies for six Area Councils and 62 Wards. “The full delimitation details for the FCT are available on our website,” he stated.
Additionally, he highlighted the upcoming Anambra State Governorship election, with campaigns having commenced on June 11, 2025, and continuing until November 6, 2025.
He urged media personnel to apply for accreditation as soon as the portal opens to ensure timely processing of their accreditation tags.
Yakubu seized the occasion to announce that INEC is prepared to conduct outstanding bye-elections and resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
“The Commission met yesterday and we are finalising the details of the two activities which will be made public in the next 24 hours,” he said.
