The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, February 5, 2026, officially registered two new political parties, bringing the total number of recognised parties in Nigeria to 21.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, announced the registrations during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja.
He said the new parties met all statutory requirements, including national presence, organisational capacity, and compliance with leadership and constitutional standards.
The newly registered parties underwent a rigorous assessment process that evaluated their constitutions, leadership structures, and ability to operate across the federation.
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Certificates of registration are expected to be presented to the party leaderships in the coming days.
Analysts say the addition of new parties, although limited in number, reflects a growing interest in political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They noted that expanding the pool of registered parties could provide more avenues for representation, even as major parties remain dominant nationally.
INEC also reaffirmed its ongoing preparations for continuous voter registration and revalidation of the voters’ register, underscoring efforts to ensure credible and transparent elections in the next electoral cycle.