2027 Countdown: INEC Sitting on 104 Party Applications — Groups Cry Suppression, Sabotage
Byline: IDNN Political Desk
As political tensions intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to process or approve over 104 applications submitted by associations seeking political party registration.
Sources confirm some applications were filed as far back as 2023. Many applicants — including legal professionals and civil society actors — accuse INEC of deliberate delay, political manipulation, and constitutional breach.
“INEC is sitting on the process — they won’t even issue acknowledgements,” said Comrade Salihu Lukman, a key figure in the emerging National Opposition Coalition.
A Legal Time Bomb?
The Electoral Act stipulates that once an application is acknowledged, registration should occur within 60–90 days. But applicants say INEC won’t acknowledge receipt — stalling the clock and skirting the law.
“It’s unconstitutional. We’ve fulfilled all conditions. They’re blocking the opposition,” said Barrister Okere Kingdom, a lead applicant for the Patriotic Peoples Party (PPP).
INEC claims the portal for automated verification is still under development, but critics argue this is a tactical delay to limit political diversity ahead of a crucial election year.
INEC Denies Suppression — But Offers No Timelines
INEC insiders deny wrongdoing:
“We reply all applications and are reviewing documents for compliance. There’s no conspiracy,” said one official.
But applicants say the commission’s silence is strategic — especially with presidential primaries expected by mid-2026.
“We needed time to mobilize. INEC’s delay is an assault on free association,” said a source close to the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a party floated by opposition actors.
CSOs, Experts: Party Registration Shouldn’t Be Controlled
Civil society groups argue that INEC should only determine ballot eligibility, not the right to form parties.
“Let parties exist. Put the burden on them to qualify for the ballot,” said Ezenwa Nwagwu of PAACA.
Political experts like Prof. Adele Jinadu agree, warning that INEC’s gatekeeping undermines multi-party democracy.
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