2027: 25 Political Associations Submit Application to become Political Parties
In advance of the general elections in 2027, 25 political groupings have submitted applications to be registered as political parties, according to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu’s announcement.
This data was presented in public during the “NEEDS Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria” presentation.
The European Union (EU) in Abuja and the Kukah Centre coordinated the event.
Sam Olumekun, a National Commissioner and the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, made Yakubu’s declaration on his behalf.
He said, “Despite harsh criticism that INEC has passed through, especially in the last couple of months, we have the National Assembly that emerged from the political parties. There was a time we had many political parties before they were pruned down by legal requirements to 19.
“As at today we have about 25 political associations that have applied that they want to register as political parties. If political parties are not functioning well, why are groups coming up to seek registration as political parties?”
Additionally, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio stated, speaking through Senator Chief Victor Umeh of the Anambra Central Senatorial District, that Nigeria’s political landscape has changed significantly since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 and that this change is due to the persistent efforts of many institutions and stakeholders, including Nigerians and political parties.
He said, “We have witnessed the emergence and growth of diverse political parties, each representing the aspirations and dreams of different segments of our society. These parties have not only provided platforms for citizens to participate in the democratic process but have also played a vital role in shaping our nation’s policies and governance structures.
“However, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the issues that have marred our democratic culture. Lack of accountability, inclusivity, transparency, and impunity are some significant challenges that we must confront.
“These issues have led to a decrease in public trust and confidence in political parties. It is disheartening to witness citizens disenchanted with the very institutions that should represent their interests and safeguard their democratic rights. This we hope to change in the Tenth National Assembly.”
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the founder of the Kukah Centre and convener of the National Peace Committee (NPC), stated that Nigeria and Nigerians frequently attempted to establish a variety of alibis to cover up the obvious fissures in their recollections.
Kukah said, “To say that the Nigerian political scene is a forest of chaos is to be charitable. That we are watching the big fish consuming the small fish is not out of place. Today, we have no collective political memory, no thanks to the disruptive and corrosive years consumed by the military.
“The quality of actors suggests very clearly that there are no teachers, no guardians, no mentors in our political history. The result is that we are witnessing an end to the age of innocence and the nobility of politics. This is not an inspiration to the younger generation who are likely to shun politics with the understanding that this is how things have been since the beginning.”
