- INEC Weighs Ceiling
By Abiola Olawale
As Nigeria itches towards the 2027 general elections, a political tension is brewing triggered by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s inexactness with regards to the ceiling it could register as political parties.
The New Diplomat’s checks reveal that this latest development arose following applications submitted by over 80 political associations to the INEC for registration as political parties ahead 2027.
Investigations show that these 80+political associations are allegedly being sponsored and encouraged by topshots in the various political parties, including sitting governors, political bigwigs who want to use the parties as platforms for political battles for the presidency and other elective roles in 2027.
Checks show that a sitting PDP governor in the SouthWest who is throwing his hat in the ring in 2027 is behind one of the groups.
There are also findings that a former Senate President who is a member of the PDP and is currently saddled with trying to reconcile all tendencies in the PDP is working actively with this SouthWest governor on the 2027 presidential ambition of the latter.
The New Diplomat gathered that the INEC is currently grappling with this unprecedented deluge of over 80 applications for new political parties registrations.
An insider told The New Diplomat that INEC has been under bombardment in recent weeks with more than 80 groups vying to secure a spot on Nigeria’s political stage.
According to the source, the applications are coming from various groups ranging from grassroots movements to coalitions of seasoned politicians.
The source also added that the surge in applications is an indication of the eagerness of several Nigerians to contest on the 2027 battlefield.
“The number of applications is staggering, but the real story lies in who’s pulling the strings,” the source revealed.
Speaking further, the source revealed that some of these new party applications are masterminded by some political juggernauts through proxies.
The source added that some political heavyweights are seeking the registration of the new party to create alternative platforms should internal crises within their current parties escalate as the case in PDP.
“This isn’t just about new voices—it’s about old players repositioning for 2027.
“Some of our leaders are quietly backing these applications to keep options open. If the party implodes, they’ll have a ready-made Plan B,” the source added.
Recall that on June 19, 2025, the National Coalition Group (NNCG) had formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ADA’s registration, with Chief Akin A. Ricketts as its interim national chairman and Abdullahi Musa Elayo as pro-tem national secretary, respectively.
The new party was floated by opposition political heavyweights including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi; two-term governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi; two-term governor of Osun State Rauf Aregbesola; two-term governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and a former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark.
Recall also that recently, the Movement of the People, a political group said to be inspired by the legacy of late Afrobeat singer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, sought registration from INEC as a political party.
In a statement issued by its Protem Chairman and musician, Seun Kuti, the group said: “Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive when the political space is continuously restricted.
“Since 2018, no new political party has been registered in Nigeria, while some existing parties have been deregistered. This severe restriction limits citizens’ political choices and undermines true democratic representation.”
Reacting to the surge in the number of new political party applications, INEC’s National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, in a June 2025 statement emphasized that only groups meeting stringent constitutional and legal requirements will be registered.
Olumekun said that many groups have submitted only “letters of intent” rather than formal applications, casting doubt on their readiness.
Olumekun asserted: “The process is not a free pass. Our regulations are clear—any association must submit a formal letter, proposed name, symbol, acronym, and other requirements at least 12 months before a general election.”
He also rebuffed accusations of bias or deliberate delays. Responding to critics like former Transportation Minister Amaechi, who claimed the commission is stifling opposition, Olumekun insisted its actions are guided by law.
“No amount of public pressure or blackmail will override constitutional requirements,” INEC’s spokesperson declared.
