Politics
91 groups seek INEC registration as coalition talks gather steam
As momentum builds ahead of the 2027 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed it has received 91 applications for the registration of new political parties.
The Peoples Democratic Party stated that the number of applications received by INEC reflected a lack of unity among opposition leaders, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party called it a testament to the incompetence of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The Labour Party, however, welcomed the development but called on INEC to carefully review all applications before proceeding with registration.
But the All Progressives Congress claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was behind the move, asserting that it would come to nothing as the party was confident of winning the 2027 elections.
The announcement was made amid accusations from opposition groups, who alleged that INEC was intentionally obstructing the registration of new political parties in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
A key figure in the opposition coalition and former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress for the North-West, Salihu Lukman, said registered political parties, which did not meet the electoral threshold by winning a seat in the previous general elections, are at risk of being deregistered.
In his statement, Lukman emphasised that, “The question of negotiating the political party is the most difficult challenge. This is an area that many members of the coalitions have been engaging in different ways for more than a year now.
“Perhaps, it is important to highlight that there are many groups, including some members of the coalition, who have filed applications to register political parties. For reasons best known to INEC, these applications are being frustrated.
“The only conclusion that can be reached in the circumstance is that INEC has decided that it will not register new parties.”
Recall that on March 20, 2025 presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced the formation of a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, INEC’s Election and Parties Monitoring Department, through the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said no applications had been rejected.
In response to these accusations, INEC’s EPM department stated “No application was rejected. We have received 91 as of today.”
In his response, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, emphasized that opposition leaders do not need multiple political parties to remove the ruling APC, but rather a strong and united platform.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Osadolor described the effort to register new political parties as unnecessary and wasteful.
He stated, “It shows a disconnect, a major disconnect among the opposition leaders and figures. The truth is this, you don’t need 500 political parties, you don’t even need 20, you don’t even need five, you don’t even need three to defeat APC. All you need is one formidable opposition party to challenge the power and empower those who can run the country.
“For me, having 91 applications means that in the end, INEC may end up with 40, or whatever the case may be. But again, does that solve our problem? It does not. And if it does not solve our problem, why waste our time over it? So I think it’s highly unnecessary.
“What they should do right now is focus more on how to harmonize. And have a much more formidable platform, wherein the chance of victory will be more assured than in this current division.
“There is need for INEC to look at the figures and characters behind them. Some just want to be on the ballot without even knowing why they are on the ballot. Others genuinely want the best for Nigeria but lack the structure and technical know-how to go about it. All of these energies being put into having minority political parties or having incompetent people in political parties is unnecessary.
“The genuine official figures should sit down first and square out with each other, look at each other, and tell each other some hard truth. What do we really want? Do we want to be known as official figures, or do we want to be known as martyrs for democracy in Nigeria? Or do we want to be those who brought progressive change to Nigerians? Once they answer these questions, the next major question should be ‘how do we go about it? Do we need three platforms, four, five?’ So, the opposition leaders need to seat and address all these and not registering more parties.”
The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, who called it an indictment of the APC, referred to it as an advantage for the coalition.
Johnson stated that the NNPP seeks greater participation from Nigerians in the process.
He stated, “No we are not threatened, not really, because we welcome more participation by Nigerians. We want more Nigerians to participate in the process. We believe that those who have decided to form new parties, or who are attempting to, when they get to the field, as it were, might be even more encouraged to come together with some of us existing parties.
“So, it’s something we understand. But once there is more participation, we appreciate it. It’s good. I don’t think it will divide the opposition parties more. By and large, a lot of it would be people who are trying to come together, who have seen that there is a need for us all to come together to try to bring about an alternative to what the APC is doing.
“In the long run, yes. More people want to participate. The fact that you have more parties coming should be seen not just as an indictment on the political class now, but more of an indictment on the ruling party, the APC.
“It shows the level of awareness that has been generated by their ineptitude and the way they have misruled the country so far.”
LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, stated that it is the right of any group wishing to transition into a political party to submit a request to INEC.
Ifoh disclosed to our correspondent that the registration of new political parties does not pose a threat to the existing ones.
He stated, “It is the duty of INEC to receive a letter of interest from aspiring political associations, and they do not have the right to stop people from submitting their letters. It is part of their responsibility to assess those applications and determine whether they are qualified before they can become political parties.
“This is democracy. We are advocating for an inclusive attitude toward the registration of political parties. So, if any of them qualifies, why not? At one point in time in Nigeria, we had almost 90-something political parties.
“It is within the rights of all those people who want to transition from political associations to political parties. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that, and it is not a threat to any political organization or party. There’s always this saying: the more, the merrier.
“The registration of political parties is the right of INEC, and any organisation that qualifies should be registered. It is not a threat to any political party, whether the ruling party or the opposition.”
On his part, the National Spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties, Mark Adebayo, argued that restricting the number of political parties would be detrimental to democracy.
According to him, in a true multiparty democracy, the electoral management body should not have the authority to limit the registration of political parties.
He emphasised that in countries like the UK and the US, there were hundreds of registered political parties, though only a few dominate the political scene.
He noted that a broader political landscape with more parties would strengthen the opposition and create a formidable challenge to the ruling party.
“The fewer the political parties, the fewer the chances of opposition forces coming together to challenge the status quo,” he said.
“If more political parties are registered, they can form coalitions to contest against the APC, just like APC itself was an amalgamation of smaller parties that ousted the PDP in 2015.”
Alluding to the fact that leading opposition parties appears fragmented, Adebayo stressed that if more parties with strong regional bases emerged, they could unite to pose a serious challenge in the 2027 elections.
He warned that failing to register new parties could play into the hands of the ruling party, which might be attempting to engineer a de facto one-party system by eliminating competition.
“If they refuse to register new parties, it only strengthens the ruling party’s grip on power,” he stated.
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, Rufus Aiyenigba, said, “We are in a democracy. The more the merrier. What we are concerned about is for us to sanitise the electoral system. The numbers of parties don’t really matter, there was a time we had 100 and presently we have 19 and we still have issues it is not necessarily the numbers of parties but the commitment to the democratic ideas.”
APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the effort to register new political parties is being driven by unsuccessful politicians looking to maintain their relevance.
In an interview, Ibrahim remarked that even if Atiku attempts to register multiple parties under different identities, it will ultimately result in failure.
He stated “You see, there is a relevance of irrelevance. When people try and fail, sometimes, in order to remain afloat, they give the impression that they are still capable of running, but in reality, they cannot run because they have been tested and found untrustworthy. These parties that they are trying to register, they are doing so in anticipation of getting something from the Federal government, unknown to them, that no longer exists.
“The time when parties were funded by the government or given money to run their affairs without being relevant or in a position to add value to the political structure is over.
“You see, Atiku Abubakar, in Nigerian politics, with all due respect, has won only one election in his lifetime, but since then, he has lost more than six elections. He is a serial loser, a perpetual contestant, and a perpetual loser who cannot give the APC, which is increasing in strength, increasing in acceptance, and increasing in support, a sleepless night. There is just no way. So even if he decides to register more political parties in disguise, it’s just going to be movement without any change in position. So, APC is not threatened by the number of applications recipients by INEC.”
PUNCH
…Alleges commissioner photographed vehicle before it was intercepted, burnt by gunmen
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South State Constituency in the forthcoming Ebonyi State House of Assembly election, Barr. Rollins Ovu-unata Offia Nwali, has raised serious allegations against the state Commissioner, Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, over the recent armed attack on his campaign convoy.
Rollins alleged that the Commissioner, who is also his elder brother, had photographed his Toyota Hilux and circulated the picture among certain individuals before the same vehicle was intercepted and completely burnt during the attack.
In a strongly worded statement responding to the Commissioner’s reaction to the incident, the Assembly candidate called on security agencies to investigate whether the circulation of the vehicle’s photograph had any connection with the attack.
He disclosed that he ordinarily travelled in the affected Hilux but had, by what he described as divine intervention, chosen another vehicle on the day of the incident.
“Why was my vehicle photographed and its photograph circulated? To whom was the photograph sent? Was it intended to identify or mark my vehicle?” he queried.
The NDC candidate, however, acknowledged that his suspicions were not proof of complicity, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the incident deserved thorough investigation.
Giving further insight into the attack, Rollins wondered what could have emboldened the assailants to confront a heavily secured motorcade, allegedly firing and reloading their weapons without fear of the security personnel accompanying him.
He expressed gratitude to God for sparing his life and commended the security operatives who contained the attack and evacuated members of his entourage.
The Assembly candidate also accused the Commissioner of having previously intimidated his supporters and allegedly frustrated his political ambitions since 2022.
According to him, their political differences began when he first consulted the Commissioner about his intention to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in 2022.
He alleged that despite initially promising support, the Commissioner secretly worked against his ambition and disclosed confidential information about his consultations to political opponents.
Rollins further claimed that a similar development occurred in 2026 when he informed the Commissioner of his intention to recontest the APC primaries.
He said he subsequently left the APC, joined the NDC and secured its House of Assembly ticket.
In another allegation, the candidate claimed that a young man who made a Facebook video supporting his candidacy in August was abducted, taken to the Commissioner’s residence in Ameka and assaulted.
He alleged that evidence submitted by his party to security agencies included footage purportedly showing the Commissioner physically stepping on the victim’s head.
The allegations have not been independently established.
Rollins also recalled a private meeting during which he allegedly appealed to the Commissioner to allow his supporters to exercise their political rights without intimidation.
He claimed that during the discussion, the Commissioner told him that Governor Francis Nwifuru had instructed him to ensure the victory of the incumbent Assembly member at all costs.
The candidate, however, said he immediately expressed disbelief over the alleged claim attributed to the Governor.
Speaking on the Commissioner’s reaction to the attack, Rollins expressed disappointment that his elder brother allegedly failed to contact him to ascertain his safety but instead publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He particularly faulted the Commissioner’s alleged description of the attackers as political associates armed with sticks and machetes.
Rollins questioned why young people should be encouraged to confront armed security operatives in the name of politics while those benefiting from their political activities remained away from the confrontation.
He also rejected suggestions that his political ambition was responsible for creating divisions between Kpakpaji and Izzikworo, maintaining that the people of Ezza South should be allowed to determine their representatives through the ballot.
According to him, no political appointee has the constitutional authority to determine who should contest an election or compel citizens to support a particular candidate.
“My constitutional rights are not privileges granted by anyone, and my political future is not subject to his or anyone else’s permission,” he declared.
In a particularly strong appeal, Rollins called on the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services and National Security Adviser to take note of his concerns about his personal safety and that of his family.
He urged the security agencies to investigate the Commissioner’s possible involvement in the attack and hold accountable anyone found to have sponsored, facilitated or participated in the incident.
The NDC candidate maintained that his political ambition should not become a death sentence, insisting that he was prepared to accept defeat at the polls if the electorate rejected him in a free contest.
He called for a comprehensive investigation into the attack, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged circulation of his vehicle’s photograph before it was burnt.
The allegations against Commissioner Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali remain claims made by the candidate and have not been established by any investigative or judicial finding. His response to these specific allegations was not contained in the statement.
…Says Political Disagreements Must Not Lead to Loss of Lives
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives candidate for Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, Hon. (Chief) Kevin Tobias Chukwu, has called on security agencies to investigate the reported attack on the party’s State Assembly candidate for Ezza South, Barr. Rollins Ovu-unata Offia-Nwali.
Chukwu said the incident, which reportedly left one person dead, several others injured and a vehicle burnt, raised serious concerns about the safety of political actors and their supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026, the federal constituency candidate condemned political intimidation and violence, insisting that residents must be allowed to participate in the democratic process without fear.
He expressed gratitude to God for the survival of Offia-Nwali and others who reportedly escaped the incident, while extending condolences to the family of the deceased and wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
“As the NDC House of Representatives candidate for Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, I consider this incident a matter of the utmost seriousness. It occurred within the federal constituency I seek to represent, and I cannot remain silent when the safety, freedom and constitutional rights of our people are threatened,” he said.
Chukwu maintained that Ezza South belonged to its people and should not be treated as the political territory of any individual, officeholder or party.
He stressed that every citizen had the constitutional right to contest elections, support candidates, associate freely and participate in political activities without intimidation.
The NDC candidate expressed concern that the incident had generated political exchanges and accusations rather than a united demand for truth, accountability and justice.
He noted that allegations raised by Offia-Nwali against the Commissioner, Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, reportedly involving intimidation of political supporters, an earlier assault on a supporter and circumstances surrounding the identification and subsequent destruction of a vehicle, required an independent investigation.
Chukwu, however, cautioned against treating the allegations as established facts before the conclusion of investigations.
“These allegations must be independently investigated. They should neither be dismissed because of the political positions of those involved nor accepted as established facts without evidence,” he said.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Security Adviser to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.
According to him, the investigation should establish the circumstances surrounding the reported death, identify those responsible for the attack and determine whether any individual or group planned, sponsored, encouraged or facilitated the violence.
“No political office should confer immunity from investigation, and no political disagreement should become a death sentence,” he added.
Chukwu also appealed to political leaders and stakeholders in Ezza South and Ikwo to discourage threats
…Accuses Ebonyi Governor of Poor Performance, Challenges Him to Public Debate
The campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has rejected calls for its principal to withdraw from the 2027 governorship race, insisting that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru should instead reconsider his re-election bid.
The organisation, known as Anyi Ga Eme Ya, described the call by former Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Hon. Barr. Uchenna Orji, for Odii to step aside in the interest of zoning as misplaced.
It accused the Nwifuru administration of lacking direction and failing to deliver on its promises, challenging the governor to a public debate ahead of the 2027 election.
The campaign organisation made its position known in a statement reacting to Orji’s comments on zoning and the outcome of the Ebonyi State Leaders and Stakeholders Political Summit held on October 20, 2026.
It argued that the governor’s performance should be the primary consideration in determining who governs the state beyond 2027, rather than political arrangements allegedly designed to favour the incumbent.
According to the organisation, Ebonyi residents deserve leadership with a clear development agenda, accountability and a commitment to improving their welfare.
Questions Government Projects, Aircraft Purchase
The campaign organisation cited the Vanco flyover project as one of the issues it believes reflects the shortcomings of the current administration.
It also questioned the status of three aircraft which it alleged the state government announced it had purchased nearly two years ago, demanding clarification on their whereabouts and delivery.
On the proposed Ebonyi New Cement Company at Nkalagu, the organisation called on the government to provide verifiable information about the project’s status, including the relevant licences and preliminary technical assessments.
It argued that establishing a cement manufacturing plant requires extensive geological investigations and other technical evaluations, insisting that the government should clarify the level of progress made.
The organisation maintained that the electorate should assess the administration based on verifiable achievements and its handling of projects and commitments.
The claims and questions raised by the campaign organisation were not independently verified in the statement.
Rejects Zoning Argument, Faults Stakeholders’ Summit
Reacting to Orji’s argument that Odii should withdraw to respect the rotation of the governorship among Ebonyi North, Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi South senatorial zones, the campaign organisation dismissed the position as politically motivated.
It also described the October 20 stakeholders’ summit as a “kangaroo summit”, alleging that its organisers were seeking to secure support for Nwifuru’s second-term ambition.
The organisation accused Orji and other supporters of the governor’s re-election bid of placing political interests above the welfare and aspirations of ordinary residents.
It insisted that the choice of the next governor should be determined by leadership records, policy proposals, development priorities and the electorate’s decision.
The campaign team added that Odii remained committed to contesting the 2027 election and would not abandon his ambition in response to calls for his withdrawal.
Alleges Intimidation of Opposition
The Anyi Ga Eme Ya organisation also raised concerns about what it described as an atmosphere of intimidation against opposition politicians in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It alleged that Nwifuru had threatened to sack local government chairmen who failed to deliver their areas during the election, describing the alleged threat as an attempt to pressure council officials into supporting the governor’s political ambition.
The organisation further cited reported killings in Ohaukwu and attacks in Ezza South, Onicha and Ivo local government areas as issues requiring attention.
It also condemned a reported restriction on opposition parties’ campaigns in the state, arguing that political parties should be allowed to canvass for votes in accordance with democratic principles and the law.
The organisation called on the relevant authorities to protect political actors and their supporters, ensure the safety of residents and prevent political disagreements from escalating into violence.
It urged security agencies and other relevant institutions to ensure that political activities ahead of the election take place in a peaceful environment.
The allegations concerning threats against local government chairmen and restrictions on opposition campaigns were not independently verified.
Warns Against Misuse of Odii’s Name
The campaign organisation also cautioned individuals against using Odii’s name to seek government favour, political patronage or personal benefits.
It reaffirmed its commitment to what it described as an alternative leadership agenda focused on development, accountability and citizens’ welfare.
The organisation said the debate over zoning should not overshadow public scrutiny of the incumbent administration’s record and the policy proposals of candidates seeking to govern the state.
Challenges Nwifuru to Public Debate
As part of its response to calls for Odii’s withdrawal, the campaign organisation challenged Nwifuru to participate in a public debate with the PDP candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
It said the proposed debate would provide both politicians with an opportunity to explain their records, present their policies and outline their plans for Ebonyi State.
According to the organisation, the engagement would enable voters to compare the candidates’ positions on governance and development before making their choices.
It maintained that the governor should be prepared to defend his administration’s record before the electorate rather than rely solely on political endorsements and zoning arguments.
The campaign organisation reiterated that Odii would continue to engage residents on his governorship ambition and urged them to participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation.
The statement was signed by the Anyi Ga Eme Ya Campaign Organisation on behalf of Odii, the PDP governorship candidate in Ebonyi State.
The Ebonyi State Government has effectively restricted political campaigns and gatherings in Ezza South Local Government Area, directing political parties and groups to obtain prior approval from the council chairman before holding such events.
The directive, issued by the Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma, follows a recent security breach in Amaezekwe community amid growing concerns over political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki, Mkpuma expressed dismay over the security situation and said the measure was necessary to protect lives and property, maintain public order and prevent further security breaches.
He acknowledged the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of association and peaceful assembly but warned that political gatherings in the local government area must henceforth receive prior approval from his office.
The chairman added that violations of the directive would attract appropriate action in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party governorship candidate, Eze Oko, has condemned the reported killings and alleged attacks on opposition parties in the state, calling on political leaders to end violence and intimidation.
Oko questioned why opposition members were allegedly being targeted and urged youths to resist attempts by politicians to use them as instruments of violence.
He called for a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, insisting that political competition should be based on ideas, manifestos and records of performance rather than violence.
The LP candidate also cautioned political leaders against inflammatory statements capable of fuelling tension during the electioneering period.
He urged candidates seeking re-election to allow their achievements to speak for them instead of allegedly engaging political thugs to intimidate opponents.
Oko further appealed to youths to reject political thuggery and violence, while extending his condolences to the families of those reportedly killed in the incident.
The development comes as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with renewed calls for security agencies to investigate reported attacks and ensure that all political parties can operate without intimidation.
The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, has declared that 2027 is not the South-East’s turn to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, is not the region’s best presidential candidate.
Umahi, who made the declaration during an interview with ARISE News on Friday, defended South-East political leaders supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, maintaining that their political choices should not be interpreted as betrayal of the Igbo presidential ambition.
“Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in South East. He’s not the best, he can never be the best,” Umahi declared.
The minister faulted Obi’s approach to the 2023 presidential election, alleging that he failed to adequately consult governors and other influential political stakeholders in the South-East before pursuing his ambition.
“You cannot play politics in South East without consulting people like us,” he maintained.
According to Umahi, any presidential aspirant seeking to represent the collective aspirations of the region must first engage critical stakeholders and build the necessary political consensus.
He argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election did not automatically make him the South-East’s most qualified presidential candidate, stressing that the region boasts several other capable political figures.
Umahi also questioned why Anambra State should be given preferential consideration whenever the opportunity arises for the South-East to produce Nigeria’s president.
Citing Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who hailed from the area now constituting Anambra State, the minister maintained that Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo states equally deserve consideration in future presidential arrangements.
On the growing support for Tinubu among South-East political leaders ahead of 2027, Umahi dismissed allegations that those backing the president had abandoned the region’s political interests.
He insisted that the South-East’s path to the presidency lies in strategic negotiations, consensus-building and alliances with other geopolitical zones rather than presenting loyalty to Obi as the ultimate test of commitment to the Igbo cause.
The former Ebonyi governor had earlier challenged comparisons between himself and Obi during a political engagement in Benin City in September, declaring that he saw no area in which the former Anambra governor was superior to him.
While expressing confidence that the South-East would eventually produce Nigeria’s president, Umahi maintained that the region’s opportunity had not yet arrived, insisting that “it is not yet our turn.”
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