The number of associations seeking registration as political parties has risen to 171, following the submission of 19 additional letters of intent, the Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed on Thursday.

In a statement, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the updated list has been published on the commission’s website and other official platforms.

“Since our last update, 19 more letters of intent have been received, bringing the total to 171 as of September 3, 2025. Details of the latest submissions are available on our website,” Olumekun said.

He added that a review committee set up by the commission had completed its assessment of the applications and submitted recommendations for final consideration.

“As earlier announced, a shortlist of pre-qualified associations is being finalised for the next stage of the registration process,” he said.

The commission urged applicants to be patient and avoid practices that could delay their approval.

“We appeal to associations to remain patient as we conclude the process. Frequent changes to logos, acronyms, and addresses, or multiple applications by one association, only cause delays. In some cases, interim leaders have defected to other associations or existing parties, further slowing down the process,” Olumekun warned.

He, however, assured applicants of transparency and fairness. “We will treat all applications equitably and continue to update Nigerians on every step,” he said.

Under the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, INEC registers political parties that meet strict requirements, including having a national headquarters in Abuja, a distinct name and logo, evidence of nationwide membership, and a constitution and manifesto consistent with democratic principles.

The commission also reserves the power to deregister parties that fail to meet these standards. In 2020, it deregistered 74 parties for failing to win seats in the 2019 elections or to comply with constitutional requirements. By the 2023 elections, only 18 parties were officially recognized.

The latest list of proposed names reflects a wide spectrum of political ambitions, including the Key of Freedom Party, Absolute Congress, All Grassroots Party, Congress Action Party, United Social Democrats Party, National Action Congress, New Nigeria Congress, United People’s Victory Party, Allied Conservative Congress, Peoples Freedom Party, Abundant Social Party, All Nigeria’s Party, Citizens Party of Nigeria, National Freedom Party, Patriots Party, and Movement of the People.

Others include Peoples National Congress, Alliance of Patriots, African Union Congress, Socialist Equality Party, About Nigeria Party, Africa Reformation Party, Accelerated Africa Development Association, Obedient People’s Party, Zonal Rescue Movement, Zuma Reform, Party for Socialist Transformation, Liberation Peoples Party, Progressive Obedient Party, and Great Nigeria Party.

Also featured are National Youth Alliance, National Reform Party, Patriotic Congress Party, Community Alliance Party, Grassroots Alliance Party, Advance Nigeria Congress, All Nigerians Alliance, All Labour Party, Team New Nigeria, About All Nigeria, Nigeria Liberty Movement, National Democratic Party, and Citizen United Congress.

Further submissions include All Gender Party, Polling Units Ambassadors of Nigeria, Village Intelligence Party, Great Transformation Party, Alliance Social Party, Nigeria Democratic Alliance, New National Democratic Party, Nourish Democratic Peoples Congress, All Youth Reclaim Party, Marina Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Alliance Youth Party of Nigeria, The True Democrats, Democratic People’s Congress, National Democratic Movement, Economic Liberations Party, and Grassroots Ambassadors Party.

Other applications came under names such as All for All Congress, Peoples Democratic Alliance, United Youths Party of Nigeria, Peoples Liberations Party, Democratic Union for Progress, Citizen Democratic Alliance, Africa Action Group, Patriot Alliance Network, Democratic Leadership Party, Pink Political Party, Young Motivation and Awareness for Development Forum, Access Party, and Young Progressive Empowerment Initiative.

Additional entries include the Republican Party of Nigeria, the Sceptre Influence Party, Young Democratic Congress, Patriotic Nigeria Party, Far Right Party, Democratic Peoples Party, United Citizens Congress, Reset Nigeria, New Nigeria Democratic Party, Save Nigeria People Party, Above All, Alliance for Youth and Women, and Rebuild Nigeria Group.

Others are Citizens Progressive Party, Guardian Party, Abiding Greatness Party, Patriotic Party, Development and Freedom Party, Peace, Unity and Prosper Culture, The Populist, New Nigeria Leadership Party, All Allies Alliance, National Action Network, Coalition for Nigerian Democrats, Abundance Africa Alliance, Free Will Humanitarian Party, Peoples Emancipation Party, Peoples Liberations Congress Party, and Peoples Democratic Congress, among many others. (The PUNCH)

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