On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  announced the registration of two new political parties as the commission commenced preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this announcement during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.

The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.

New Telegraph reports that this is the first time Prof. Amupitan will be meeting with party leaders since assuming office in October 2025.

According to Prof. Amupitan, the DLA successfully completed a rigorous verification process, while the NDC was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.

The consultative meeting was attended by major political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside its National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

The Labour Party, led by Senator Nenadi Usman with National Secretary Senator Darlington Nwokocha, was also in attendance.

Prof. Amupitan expressed concern over the growing spate of internal disputes within some political parties but reassured stakeholders of INEC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.