Last updated: 13 October 2026. Party registration and leadership disputes change often, so confirm details on the INEC website. We do not list every party’s leaders because court cases over party leadership are ongoing. We replaced an earlier version that had an outdated count.
Nigeria operates a multiparty system. How many parties are there now? On 5 February 2026, INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan announced that the commission had registered two new parties, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing the total number of registered parties to 21. Some outlets reported a different number at the time, but INEC’s own statement said 21.
The new parties
- Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA): registered effective 5 February 2026. INEC received 171 letters of intent from associations that wanted to become parties, and reports said only DLA met all the requirements.
- Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC): registered after a court ordered INEC to do so, which INEC said it was complying with.
How the number has changed
In February 2020 INEC deregistered 74 parties that had failed the constitutional performance tests, cutting the number from 92 to 18 or 19. Registrations and court orders have pushed it back up, and reports said Nigeria had 18 parties at the 2023 general election. A party can be deregistered if it fails to win at least one seat in specified elections, among other conditions.
The major parties
Several parties dominate national politics. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is the governing party. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are among the other well-known names. The membership and standing of each party change with defections and court rulings, so check current news. Our 2027 election hub tracks the timetable and the key political developments.
Party leadership crises
INEC has complained that leadership disputes and lawsuits within parties distract it from preparing for elections. The commission and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have both urged parties to follow their own constitutions and practise internal democracy. This is why you may see rival factions claiming to be the real executive of the same party. Courts, not social media, decide those disputes.
How parties get on the ballot
- Be a registered party.
- Hold primaries to choose candidates, following INEC’s timetable and rules.
- Submit candidates’ names and documents to INEC.
- Fight any legal challenges to the nominations.
Dates for the 2027 elections are the presidential and National Assembly polls on 16 January 2027 and governorship and state assembly polls on 6 February 2027, as reported after INEC revised its timetable. Confirm the latest dates with INEC. See our guides on voter registration and Nigerian governors in 2026.
What to check before joining or voting
- Manifesto and record: look for specific, costed promises, and how the party behaved when it held power.
- Candidate selection: are primaries open and credible?
- Money and vote buying: INEC has warned parties against vote buying, which is an offence. Never sell your vote.
- Misinformation: fake defection lists and fabricated quotes spread quickly. See our guides on spotting fake news and verifying news step by step.
Why it matters
More parties do not always mean more choice. Analysts quoted in the press have argued that new registrations may not change the 2027 contest much, since the real contest depends on alliances, defections and the strength of party structures. The more important question for voters is which parties and candidates have credible plans. Read our guides on politics and national development, Nigerian democracy and political commentary.
How to Read a Party Manifesto
- Check whether promises are specific, with numbers, dates and costs.
- Ask where the money will come from and who will carry out the plan.
- Compare promises with the party’s record where it has governed.
- Look for what is missing, not just what is included.
Parties, Candidates and Defections
INEC lists 21 registered parties, and 18 of them fielded presidential candidates for the 2027 election. Defections have reshaped the map: by late February 2026 the APC was reported to have 30 serving governors after moves such as Taraba’s Agbu Kefas in January and Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri in February, with others following. Party labels therefore matter less than what a candidate has done, so judge individuals as well as parties. See our guides on the list of Nigerian governors and the 2027 election hub.
What a Party Must Do to Be Registered
Under the Electoral Act, an association must meet INEC’s requirements for membership spread, a constitution and a national structure, and INEC publishes the registered parties and their symbols. Check INEC’s official list instead of social media claims about “new parties”.
How to Engage
- Attend open meetings, read manifestos and ask candidates direct questions.
- Be wary of vote buying and false promises. See democracy in Nigeria.
- Report violence or intimidation to the proper authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many political parties are in Nigeria?
INEC said there were 21 registered parties after the February 2026 registrations.
Which party is in power?
The APC governs at the federal level. State governments are held by several parties; see our guide to the governors.
Can I belong to more than one party?
Party constitutions and the electoral law generally bar dual membership, so check the rules.
Can a party be removed from the register?
Yes. INEC can deregister parties that fail the constitutional thresholds or break registration conditions, and courts can review its decisions.
Sources
- The Guardian: INEC registers two new political parties
- INEC: Statement on registration of new parties, 5 February 2026
- BusinessDay: New parties in the fray as debate rages over electoral dynamics
- Arise: INEC registers two new parties, insists on internal democracy
- The Nigeria Lawyer: 171 associations applied, only DLA met all requirements
- BellaNaija: Nigeria 2027 election dates, INEC and PVC guide
