INEC Chairman Addresses Media on Party Registration, FCT Polls and Anambra Governorship Election

INEC Chairman Addresses Media on Party Registration, FCT Polls and Anambra Governorship Election

Abuja, Nigeria –

The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency and impartiality as it oversees a series of electoral activities, including party registration processes and preparations for upcoming elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Anambra State.

Speaking on Wednesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja during the second regular quarterly consultative meeting with media executives, Prof. Yakubu provided updates on key developments and addressed growing public interest surrounding political party registrations.

“We are guided strictly by law and will act fairly to all associations seeking registration as political parties,” the INEC Chairman said. FCT Area Council Elections and Anambra Governorship Poll Prof. Yakubu said the meeting coincided with two major electoral events. The first is the conduct of party primaries ahead of the FCT Area Council elections, which are scheduled to end on Monday, 30 June 2025. Elections will be held in 68 constituencies comprising six area councils – Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali – and 62 wards. The second is the Anambra State Governorship Election, for which public campaigns began on 11 June and will continue until 6 November 2025, 24 hours before polls open on Saturday, 8 November 2025.

He urged media organisations to submit accreditation requests early for the Anambra election once the online portal opens. “This will allow us to process and deliver your tags well in advance of election day,” he said.

110 Associations Seek Party Registration

Addressing what he described as partisan insinuations, Prof. Yakubu dismissed allegations that INEC is delaying or politicising the registration of new political parties. “We faced similar accusations in 2013, but the record speaks for itself. For the 2019 General Election, this Commission registered 91 parties and cleared 73 presidential candidates,” he noted.

He revealed that 110 associations have submitted letters of intent to register as political parties. Of these, 104 have been formally acknowledged, while the remaining six will be acknowledged before the end of the week. The Commission, he said, is processing the requests in accordance with existing laws and its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, which are available on the INEC website. A full list of the applying associations — including proposed names, acronyms, addresses, and details of pro tem officers — has been released and will be published online.

Bye-elections and Voter Registration to Resume

INEC also announced that preparations have been concluded for the conduct of pending bye-elections and the resumption of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. “The Commission met yesterday and is now in a position to proceed with these activities. Full details will be made public within 24 hours,” the INEC Chairman said.

Media’s Role in Strengthening Democracy

Prof. Yakubu thanked the media for their consistent engagement and support of Nigeria’s democratic process, calling for continued partnership as the Commission carries out its constitutional responsibilities. “We will continue to keep you informed at every stage. Your role in promoting public awareness and democratic participation remains vital,” he concluded.