Over 100 Groups Seek INEC Registration as Political Parties, But Majority Deemed “Jokers” by Expert

 

Ezenwa Nwagu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advisory Centre in Africa, has cast serious doubt on the credibility of a large number of associations seeking registration as political parties in Nigeria. During a recent appearance on Arise News, Nwagu offered a scathing assessment of the 110 associations that have submitted letters of intent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to become registered political parties.

According to Nwagu, while the right to form associations is enshrined in democratic practice, this right must be exercised responsibly. He insisted that the registration of political parties is not an avenue for unserious ventures, emphasizing that the process is governed by strict guidelines laid down by INEC. Many of the groups, he argued, have failed to meet even the most basic criteria, including the presence of a valid office address or the identification of key party officials.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, had earlier revealed at the commission’s second Quarterly Meeting with the Media that, as of Monday, June 23rd, 2025, a total of 110 groups had formally expressed their desire to register as political parties. This disclosure raised eyebrows across various sectors, prompting public debate about the authenticity and intent of many of these applications.

Nwagu did not hold back during his interview, labeling a significant portion of these associations as unserious actors who are simply testing the system. “Many of them are jokers,” he said bluntly, pointing out that some do not even have names, acronyms, or functioning offices. He further disclosed that upon review of the list made available by INEC, a shocking number of these associations had listed office locations that were found to be situated in cemeteries.

He elaborated on the procedural framework set by INEC, stating that the process of transforming from an association to a political party involves a number of verifiable steps. These include the submission of a party constitution, the identification of a chairman and secretary, and the provision of a valid office address. These conditions, Nwagu noted, are not optional and must be strictly followed.

Applications are scrutinized thoroughly by INEC, and applicants are required to pay an administrative fee before proceeding further. Once this fee is paid, a unique code is issued by the Commission. This code allows applicants to access a dedicated online platform where they are expected to upload their proposed party’s constitution, manifesto, and the personal details of its founding members, including phone numbers and email addresses.

He observed that many of the 110 associations had not paid the necessary administrative fee, rendering their applications void from the onset. Others submitted applications through lawyers instead of having their protem chairman and secretary sign and file the forms, as clearly mandated by the rules.

Addressing past controversies, Nwagu recalled the infamous case of 70 associations whose claimed office addresses were later discovered to be located in cemeteries. “It was laughable,” he remarked, highlighting how such absurdities undermine the seriousness of democratic processes.

He stressed that political party formation should not be viewed as a casual exercise. “The formation of political parties is not an all-comers affair,” Nwagu stated. “These are platforms that will contest in elections, potentially govern states or even the country. Therefore, the bar must be high and the rules strictly enforced.”

The flood of applications, in his view, reveals both the strengths and weaknesses of Nigeria’s democratic space. While it reflects a vibrant spirit of political participation, it also exposes a lack of understanding and respect for the protocols required for party registration.

INEC, as the custodian of electoral processes, faces a growing challenge in sifting through this multitude of applications to separate serious contenders from those merely exploiting the system. As Nigeria inches closer to its next electoral cycle, observers and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the Commission enforces its guidelines and preserves the integrity of political party formation.

Nwagu concluded by urging INEC to remain firm and transparent in its screening procedures to prevent the political space from being clogged by unserious and unqualified entities. Only by maintaining high standards, he argued, can Nigeria ensure that its democracy remains functional, credible, and respected.