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INEC registers Democratic Leadership Alliance, Nigeria Democratic Congress
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Total number of political parties in Nigeria rises to 21
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One party meets requirements, other registered by court order
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties, raising the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced the development on Thursday in Abuja during the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026.
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The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Amupitan explained that the DLA successfully met all statutory and constitutional requirements after INEC conducted a rigorous screening of 171 associations that applied for registration.
He added that the NDC was registered in compliance with an order of the Federal High Court, noting that the commission was legally bound to obey the ruling despite the party not fully satisfying the usual registration conditions.
According to its promoters, the Democratic Leadership Alliance is focused on governance reforms, youth participation, transparency, grassroots mobilisation, and policies aimed at inclusive economic growth.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, on the other hand, describes itself as a centrist party committed to social justice, equitable resource distribution, and the strengthening of democratic institutions, offering an alternative platform for Nigerians dissatisfied with existing political parties.
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Following the latest approval, INEC confirmed that Nigeria now has 21 registered political parties.
Below is the full list of registered political parties in Nigeria:
- All Progressives Congress (APC)
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
- Accord (A)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Labour Party (LP)
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Boot Party (BP)
- Action Democratic Party (ADP)
- African Action Congress (AAC)
- Action Alliance (AA)
- National Rescue Movement (NRM)
- Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
- New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
- Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
- Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
- Action Peoples Party (APP)
- Young Progressives Party (YPP)
- Youth Party (YP)
- Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) – newly registered
- Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – newly registered
INEC reiterated its commitment to transparency, the rule of law, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of future elections.