As the 2027 general elections draw closer, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the receipt of 91 applications for registering new political parties.
The development has sparked political debates across party lines, with opposition figures divided over the implications of an increasingly crowded political space.
The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the surge in applications as an indication of disunity among opposition leaders.
PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor criticized the trend, arguing that the opposition does not require multiple parties to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Instead, he emphasized the need for a single formidable platform capable of challenging the APC’s dominance. According to him, the proliferation of political parties only weakens opposition efforts.
In contrast, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) welcomed the development, seeing it as a reaction to what it described as the APC’s failure in governance.
NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, asserted that the growing interest in forming new political parties reflects increased political awareness and participation among Nigerians.
He further argued that rather than dividing the opposition, the new political movements could serve as a unifying force in the long run.
The Labour Party (LP) also acknowledged the legitimacy of the applications, urging INEC to thoroughly vet them before approving registrations.
LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, stressed that it is within the rights of political associations to seek registration, adding that democracy thrives on inclusivity.
Ifoh reassured that the existing political parties are not threatened by the emergence of new ones and that competition in a multiparty democracy should be encouraged.
On the other hand, the ruling APC dismissed the development, alleging that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was behind the push for multiple parties. The APC maintained confidence in its chances of retaining power in 2027, dismissing the opposition’s efforts as futile.
The controversy surrounding party registration intensified following accusations from opposition leaders that INEC was deliberately frustrating the registration process.
Former APC National Vice Chairman for the North-West, Salihu Lukman, criticized INEC for allegedly obstructing applications without clear reasons.
Lukman highlighted that some coalition members had been attempting to register political parties for over a year but faced bureaucratic delays.
However, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, refuted these claims, stating that no application had been rejected.
She confirmed that 91 applications had been received as of March 27, 2025, and that the commission was diligently reviewing them in accordance with electoral guidelines.
The push for party registration comes on the heels of an emerging opposition coalition spearheaded by PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, LP’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The trio recently announced their plans to form a formidable alliance to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the next election.
While some analysts see the coalition as a viable opposition force, others worry that internal divisions and multiple party interests could hinder its effectiveness.
Political analysts warn that an excessive number of parties may lead to a fragmented opposition, potentially playing into the hands of the ruling party.
They point out that Nigeria has previously struggled with an overwhelming number of parties, many of which lacked electoral relevance.
Some argue that instead of seeking new registrations, opposition leaders should focus on strengthening existing parties and presenting a united front.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has defended the right to form new parties, arguing that restricting registration would be detrimental to democracy.
CUPP National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, stressed that in true multiparty democracies like the United States and the United Kingdom, there are hundreds of registered parties, even though only a few dominate national politics.
He contended that allowing more parties could strengthen the opposition and provide Nigerians with a broader range of choices.
As INEC continues its review process, the political climate remains charged, with stakeholders debating the best approach to defeating the APC in 2027.
