The decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider registering new political parties has stirred debate among analysts, politicians and observers, with concerns over whether the move will strengthen or weaken Nigeria?s democracy.

On September 11, INEC announced that 14 political associations had met the initial requirements to proceed to the next stage of registration. If successful, they would join the existing 19 recognized parties, raising the total to 33.

This development comes five years after INEC de-registered 74 out of 92 political parties in the country for failing to meet constitutional requirements for continuous existence. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained at the time that the affected parties had failed to secure the minimum electoral threshold as stipulated in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

For the fresh exercise, INEC?s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the commission had received 171 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, but only 14 scaled the first hurdle.

The associations include the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), African Transformation Party (ATP), Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Grassroots Initiative Alliance (GRIP), Green Future Party (GFP), Liberation People?s Party (LPP), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Reform Party (NRP), Patriotic People?s Alliance (PPA) and People?s Freedom Party (PFP).

According to INEC, ?Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission?s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.?

It was, however, gathered that some interim leaders of the proposed parties were officials of the de-registered parties in 2020.

For instance, Rev. Olusegun Peters, former national chairman of the de-registered Democratic People?s Congress (DPC), now leads the proposed Allied Conservative Congress (ACC). Though not among the 14 cleared, ACC is listed among the 171 associations seeking registration.

Peters recently said ACC was determined to win the 2027 presidential poll and redirect Nigeria on a conservative ideological path if registered.

Questions and scepticisms

The move has raised questions about whether the new associations, if eventually registered, will make any meaningful difference in the political space.

Some observers fear they could face the same fate as the 74 de-registered parties. Others doubt their capacity to win elections or address Nigeria?s governance challenges.

Concerns have also been raised about whether the new platforms will meet electoral thresholds or present manifestos that foster unity, inclusivity and democratic growth. Critics argue that if leaders of defunct parties are returning with new platforms, the outcome may not change.

On the other hand, some analysts maintain that democracy thrives on healthy competition, and more parties would give Nigerians wider choices at the polls. They argue that while opposition parties have failed in their roles and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been accused of bad governance, new parties could provide alternatives.

Bad omen for democracy?

Elder statesman and former presidential candidate, Chief Chekwas Okorie, expressed concern over the recurring cycle of registration and deregistration, describing it as a ?bad omen for democracy.?

Okorie, founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and later the United Progressives Party (UPP), which was de-registered in 2020, told Daily Trust that opposition parties should be allowed to exist to provide alternatives for political heavyweights denied tickets in big parties.

He said ?After another round of elections, another round of de-registration will commence. I have never seen a country that operates this kind of confused system. Since the government no longer pays grants to political parties, those registered should be allowed to remain on the register. The beauty of the multi-party system is that when people don?t get space in major parties, they can still contest under smaller ones.

?Many political parties have collapsed on their own without de-registration because it costs money to maintain a party office and staff. When a party is inactive, its leaders eventually give up.?

Similarly, Hon. Bernard Mikko, a political scientist and former federal lawmaker from Rivers State, said INEC should register all qualified associations, describing it as a ?good omen for democracy.?

Mikko, a former PDP governorship aspirant who later joined APC, said:

?Once the associations meet requirements, INEC should register them. Those that fall short or fail to win elections can then be de-registered, but the process must be transparent. It shouldn?t look like witch-hunting. There is freedom of association, and these are constitutional matters.?

New parties not the solution

Other analysts, however, argue that new parties will not solve Nigeria?s problems.

Political analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo told Daily Trust that existing parties already provide enough choices, describing the proposed ones as ?political liabilities.?

?New parties won?t make any difference. They can?t even make a positive noise for change. They are just wasting INEC?s stationery. Nigerians should be able to join from the existing ones,? he said.

Another analyst, Aminu Yakudima, said the proposed 14 parties, including ADA, might not survive electoral thresholds, let alone win elections.

?Most of these parties don?t have viable manifestos or grassroots structures. Forming a party requires resources, experience and membership mobilization. Without these, they cannot add value to the electoral process. The 2027 elections will be between two or three parties ? APC, PDP and maybe ADC,? he said.

Also, former PDP deputy publicity secretary and now APC chieftain, Barrister Abdullahi Jalo, argued that Nigeria?s real problem lies in governance, not the proliferation of parties.

He said: ?Registration of new parties is constitutional but a waste of time and resources. Our problem is governance and leadership. Even the existing parties are not living up to expectations. What Nigeria needs is accountability and reforms, not more parties.? (Daily Trust)

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