INEC Nigeria warns internal party conflicts threaten elections while registering two new political parties ahead of 2027 polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that internal crises and a lack of democracy within registered political parties are threatening Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
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Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan made the remarks on Thursday at the first quarterly consultative meeting between INEC and political party leaders in Abuja.
Prof. Amupitan said frequent leadership disputes and litigations within parties divert the commission from its primary mandate of conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
He urged party leaders to prioritise unity, constructive dialogue, and adherence to constitutional provisions.
“Our collective commitment to maintaining the integrity of our electoral processes is being challenged by increasingly frequent leadership squabbles within various political parties across our esteemed nation,” he said. “These disputes erode public trust, create uncertainty, and undermine democracy.”
The INEC Chairman also announced the registration of two new political parties, bringing the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21.
The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) met all legal requirements and was formally registered, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was registered following a Federal High Court directive. Certificates of registration will be issued to both parties in due course.
Prof. Amupitan highlighted the importance of cohesive leadership in preparing for upcoming elections, including the FCT Area Council polls on February 21, 2026, and the governorship contests in Ekiti and Osun states.
Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, echoed the call for internal party democracy, urging parties to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms instead of court actions.
He emphasised that respecting party constitutions and avoiding imposition of candidates or unlawful tenure extensions are crucial to sustaining democracy.
Dantalle added that a harmonised electoral legal framework and the real-time transmission of results to the IReV portal are vital to restoring public confidence in elections.
He also advocated for all elections to be conducted on the same day to reduce costs, prevent voter fatigue, and ensure transparency.
“With 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance and as we approach the 2027 General Election, there should be no excuse for elections that fall short of credibility and public acceptability,” Dr. Dantalle said.
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The statements come as INEC continues preparations to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, emphasising that party cohesion and compliance with constitutional provisions remain essential pillars for credible elections in Nigeria.
