INEC Shortlists 14 Political Parties, ADA Makes the List

According to a statement released on Thursday by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the approval followed the review of 171 applications submitted by various political associations. Out of the total, 157 applications were rejected for failing to meet the commission’s initial requirements.

The 14 successful associations will now undergo further scrutiny, including physical verification of their claims, before they can be granted final registration.

Among those shortlisted is the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which has been widely speculated as a possible coalition platform for opposition forces against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Other associations on the list include:

1. African Transformation Party (ATP)
2. Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC)
3. Abundance Social Party (ASP)
4. African Alliance Party (AAP)
5. Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA)
6. Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)
7. Grassroots Initiative Alliance (GRIP)
8. Green Future Party (GFP)
9. Liberation People’s Party (LPP)
10. National Democratic Party (NDP)
11. National Reform Party (NRP)
12. Patriotic People’s Alliance (PPA)
13. People’s Freedom Party (PFP)

Olumekun explained that the applications were assessed in line with Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

“Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage while 157 have not. The Commission shall officially communicate its decision to all the associations within 24 hours,” the statement read.

INEC has also invited interim chairmen and secretaries of the shortlisted groups to a crucial briefing on September 17, 2025, at its Abuja headquarters.

Olumekun stressed that political party registration is a continuous process under Nigerian law, and the commission will keep considering applications from associations that fulfill all constitutional and electoral requirements.