The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has revealed that the commission has so far received letters of intent from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
Yakubu made the disclosure on Wednesday during INEC’s second quarterly consultative meeting with media executives held in Abuja.
The INEC chairman said that as of June 23, the commission had received the letters and was diligently processing them in accordance with electoral laws and guidelines.
“As of Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties. We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law as well as our Regulations and Guidelines.
“We have acknowledged all requests received so far except six of them received recently which will be done before the end of the week,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about impartiality, Yakubu emphasised the commission’s commitment to fairness.
“We will treat all requests fairly irrespective of the status of their promoters, be they ordinary or prominent citizens,” he said, dismissing claims that the commission was compromising its independence.
The chair dismissed allegations that INEC was compromising its independence, recalling similar unfounded accusations made in 2013.
He explained that the commission has acknowledged all but six of the letters received, which will be processed before the end of the week. He also noted that the handbook containing the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties is available on the commission’s website.
Yakubu further announced that a full list of the 110 associations, including proposed names, acronyms, addresses, and names of their protem chairmen and secretaries, would soon be published on INEC’s website and social media platforms for public transparency.
On other electoral matters, Yakubu announced that INEC is ready to conduct outstanding by-elections and resume nationwide Continuous Voter Registration.
“I am glad to announce that the Commission is now in a position to conduct the bye-elections and to resume the nationwide CVR.
“The commission met yesterday and we are finalising the details of the two activities which will be made public in the next 24 hours,” he added.
He concluded by thanking the media for their continued support. “We look forward to your support,” Yakubu said.
The meeting also covered current electoral activities.
The INEC chairman noted that primaries for the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory are ongoing and scheduled to conclude by June 30, 2025. Elections will take place across 68 constituencies, covering Chairmen and Deputies for six Area Councils and 62 wards.
“As you are aware, the election will be held in 68 constituencies made up of Chairmen and their Deputies for the six Area Councils, namely Abaji, the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali as well as 62 Wards drawn on the basis of 10 Wards for each Area Council, except AMAC which has 12 Wards on account of its population. The full delimitation details for the FCT are available on our website,” the chairman noted.
The upcoming Anambra State Governorship election, set for November 8, 2025, was another major focus during the meeting.
Campaigning began on June 11 and will continue until midnight on November 6. Yakubu urged media personnel to promptly apply for accreditation to facilitate election coverage.
“I wish to appeal to you to promptly upload your applications for accreditation of media personnel for the Anambra State governorship election as soon as the portal opens,” he said.
