Politics
2027: INEC APPROVES TWO NEW POLITICAL PARTIES, DLA AND NDC
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expanded the country’s political landscape by approving two new parties: the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
INEC, however, expressed concern over political parties with recurring leadership disputes, warning that internal conflicts threaten constitutional order.
At INEC’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties on Thursday, Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, formally recognized the two new parties, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
He explained that the DLA passed a stringent verification process, while the NDC secured registration following a Federal High Court directive.
Despite welcoming the additions, Prof. Amupitan criticized the frequent internal crises within many parties.
He said,“Our commitment to the integrity of the electoral process is being challenged by increasingly frequent leadership crises within political parties.”
He added that such disputes often end up in court, straining the judiciary and distracting INEC from its core responsibilities, including voter mobilization.
“Each litigation consumes time and resources and diverts the Commission from important work. Sometimes, one wonders whether some parties should continue to exist given recurring leadership struggles,” he noted.
The INEC chairman also raised concern over declining voter turnout, highlighting a downward trend from 53.7% in 2011 to 26.7% in the 2023 general elections.“Technology alone cannot address voter apathy.
Citizens’ trust is often eroded when they feel their voices do not matter. We must work together to change this narrative,” he stressed.
INEC confirmed readiness for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections on February 21, 2026, where 1,680,315 registered voters are expected to cast ballots across 2,822 polling units.
Preparations are also ongoing for the Ekiti State Governorship election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun State Governorship election on August 8, 2026.
To ensure credible elections, INEC plans a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise to clean the voters’ register of 93.4 million entries, removing duplicates and deceased individuals.
In response, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) National Chairman Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle urged INEC to maintain neutrality and strictly follow party constitutions to prevent bias allegations.
He also called for comprehensive electoral reforms, including the removal of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and the mandatory real-time transmission of election results to INEC’s IReV portal.“
All elections should be held on the same day to reduce costs, prevent bandwagon effects, and address voter fatigue,” Dantalle added.
Politics
2027 Shake-Up: Kogi Governor Allegedly Double-Dealing, Campaigns for Opposition in Mopamuro
In a development sending shockwaves through Kogi State politics, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has been accused of orchestrating support for opposition candidates, raising fresh questions about his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to an APC chieftain in Mopamuro Local Government Area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the governor directed his political appointees led by the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo to campaign for ADC’s Hon. Leke Abejide in his bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.
Eyewitnesses said the rally saw appointees don T-shirts and caps celebrating APC achievements but without any party logos, creating confusion about their political stance.
Many APC faithful reportedly resisted participating, with some sustaining minor injuries after falling off vehicles during the walk.
Following the event, appointees from Mopamuro were allegedly summoned to a meeting where they were given an ultimatum: support the ADC candidate or resign.
The insider claimed this move undermines the rotational arrangement in Yagba Federal Constituency, where Mopamuro is expected to produce the next representative.
“It is astonishing that a sitting governor would order his own appointees to campaign for a candidate of another party,” the source said. “It smacks of double-dealing and raises serious questions about his political intentions.”
Attempts to reach Governor Ododo and Commissioner Fanwo for comment were unsuccessful.
Political analysts warn that if these claims are substantiated, they could spark internal crises within APC and reshape the electoral landscape in Kogi State ahead of 2027.
The Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has distanced itself from a lawsuit currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, stating that it neither authorised nor endorsed the legal action.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the party’s state leadership clarified that the suit, reportedly filed on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees nationwide, does not represent the position of the Lagos chapter.
State Chairman Gbenga Asiru said the chapter was not consulted prior to the filing of the case and did not grant approval to any individual or group to act on its behalf.
“The action represents the personal position of the named plaintiffs and does not reflect the stance of ADC Lagos State,” the statement read.
The chapter reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, the rule of law, and unity within the party, stressing that while individuals have the right to seek judicial interpretation, such actions must not be portrayed as collective decisions.
ADC Lagos added that it remains focused on strengthening its internal structures and advancing the interests of its members and supporters.
The Labour Party (LP) has scheduled May 23, 2026, for its presidential primaries as part of early preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, which was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the timetable approved by NEC, the party will submit its membership register on April 15, while primaries for governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly positions are slated for May 15.
The council also ratified actions taken by the party’s leadership under Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwochocha. These include the conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses scheduled for March 26, 28, and 31, respectively, as well as the national convention fixed for April 11.
NEC reviewed recent developments within the party, particularly the invasion of its national secretariat by suspected hoodlums, allegedly backed by “rogue elements,” describing the incident as a grave violation of party order.
“Following a detailed review of the report and recommendations of the Peace, Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee,” the communiqué stated, “NEC exercised its disciplinary authority and approved the suspension of members involved in acts of indiscipline, anti-party activities, and complicity in the desecration of the party’s national secretariat.”
The party further disclosed plans to expand its membership register through a hybrid system that combines digital and manual processes. It noted that the initiative is aimed at modernising its database, strengthening internal democracy, and improving transparency and efficiency in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
To maintain continuity, NEC resolved that all existing vacancies within party structures would be filled through interim appointments. It added that such positions would be occupied in an acting capacity pending the conduct of substantive congresses.
The council also urged members to adopt internal dispute resolution mechanisms to safeguard unity as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.