The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it has received letters of intent from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties in Nigeria.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during the second regular consultative meeting with the media held in Abuja. He said the applications are being carefully processed in accordance with the legal procedures governing political party registration in the country.
Professor Yakubu revealed that the commission will soon publish the full list of the associations, including their proposed names, acronyms, and the names of their interim chairmen and secretaries. He assured the public that the commission remains committed to transparency and will continue to operate within the confines of the law.
“The commission will continue to be guided by the Electoral Act and will ensure fairness to all associations seeking registration,” Yakubu stated.
On preparations for the upcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the INEC Chairman said the commission is fully ready to conduct elections across the six area councils. The elections will cover six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions.
However, he noted that challenges such as security concerns and anticipated low voter turnout remain significant hurdles to successful elections. He appealed to the media to play a more active role in voter education, stressing the importance of public engagement in strengthening the democratic process in the FCT.
In his response, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, commended INEC for its continued engagement with the media and its commitment to democratic transparency. He pledged the union’s support in promoting credible and fair elections through effective public communication.
The meeting reaffirmed INEC’s stance on openness, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to the rule of law as Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve.