By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has convened its first regular consultative meeting of the year with registered political parties, marking the start of formal preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, held at INEC headquarters in Abuja, has drawn leadership from major parties but is being overshadowed by a conspicuous intra-party division. A faction of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki, is notably absent.

In contrast, the PDP’s rival faction, led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and its factional National Chairman, Abdul Rahman Mohammed, is in attendance.

The session features broad participation from other key political organizations. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is represented by its National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the party’s National Secretary. The Labour Party delegation includes its National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, and National Secretary Senator Darlington Nwokocha.

The consultative forum is a critical mechanism for INEC to align with political stakeholders on electoral timelines, frameworks, and potential reforms ahead of the next national polls.

Abubakar Isah Dandago, a veteran journalist, has resigned as the pioneer General Manager of Hikima Private FM in Kano.

Abubakar Isah Dandago is a veteran journalist based in Kano who worked with various radio stations and currently is a reporter with Radio France International.

He wished the station well and his colleagues with whom he worked during his stay as General Manager.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially registered two new political parties, expanding the landscape of political participation in Nigeria.

According to the Commission, it received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

These associations were assessed in accordance with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

Following initial screening, 14 associations that met prequalification requirements were invited to the next stage, of which eight successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s dedicated portal.

These were the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP), and Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).

After thorough assessment and verification of compliance with constitutional and legal requirements, only two parties qualified for final approval.

The Commission determined that the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) fully satisfied all requirements of the law and has been officially registered as a political party effective February 5, 2025.

“Accordingly, the Commission has decided to register the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) as a politic party, effective from today, 5th February 2025,” INEC said.

In addition, the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit M FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, directed INEC to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The Commission has complied with the court order, adding the NDC to the list of officially recognized political parties. Certificates of registration will be handed over to both parties in due course.

“Furthermore, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit M FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. IM ordered the Commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) a political party,” it said.

“The Commission has decided to comply with the order an being registered as a political party. Certificate of Registration will be hand over to the two new political parties in due course.”

With these additions, Nigeria’s political landscape now welcomes two new parties, signaling continued efforts to broaden democratic participation and political pluralism in the country.

With the announcement, Nigeria officially now has 20 registered political parties.