With the 2027 general election on the horizon, Nigeria’s political arena is witnessing a surge of behind-the-scenes maneuvering as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirms it has received 110 applications for the registration of new political parties.
Although INEC no longer provides direct funding to parties, the volume of submissions suggests a strategic intent: to weaken the political dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to an APC insider, the dramatic rise in party registration attempts signals a growing alliance of opposition forces—and even fringe elements within the ruling party—who aim to build alternative platforms capable of dislodging Tinubu in 2027.
“This wave of registrations is a calculated attempt to create a strong political front against the APC and our leader. But we’re watching, and we’re ready,” the APC official said anonymously.
Proxies and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in Play
Saturday Vanguard has learned that many of the applications are not directly tied to visible political actors. Instead, powerful figures are operating through proxies, including law firms and lesser-known representatives, to shield their identities—at least for now.
An INEC source disclosed that while the commission cannot definitively trace the backers of all applications, past experiences indicate that “big names often emerge either when parties are approved or rejected.”
“Some of these groups are registering parties to serve as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). These parties offer fallback platforms for influential politicians who may break from their current affiliations ahead of the 2027 elections,” the source explained.
In Nigeria’s recent political history, it’s not uncommon for dormant parties to be hijacked by powerful individuals who negotiate leadership control and restructure the party around their ambitions.
Political Pressure Groups or Serious Contenders?
While some of the new entities may not gain widespread traction, observers believe they are being positioned as pressure groups or negotiation tools in the political chessboard.
“There’s dissatisfaction with the status quo,” noted one analyst. “Even if these parties don’t win elections, they can shape narratives, force coalitions, or become bargaining chips during high-level negotiations.”
Questionable Applications Raise Eyebrows
Amid the flurry of applications, some have been submitted with alarming errors, suggesting haste and lack of coordination. For example, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) led by Chief Akin Ricketts mistakenly addressed its letter to the “Independent National Commission” (INC), instead of INEC.
Even more confusing, two parties with the acronym “ADA” are listed by INEC — Ricketts’ ADA and another, the Advanced Democratic Alliance, chaired by Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman with Zipporah Pius Miracles as secretary. Both are among the final entries on INEC’s registration list.
This duplication and confusion have led civil society leaders like Ezenwa Nwagu, Executive Director of Peering Advocacy and Advisory Centre in Africa, to label some of the bids as unserious:
“These are jokers. But the volume of intent shows how much political maneuvering is underway.”
Shifting Alliances and New Political Blocs
Should INEC approve a sizable portion of these applications, Nigeria may witness the formation of new coalitions, mergers, and political blocs in the coming months.
Speculation is rife around proposed alliances like the All Democratic Alliance, reportedly involving political juggernauts such as Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi—though some within APC have dismissed these efforts as “pedestrian jokes.”
Nonetheless, strategic alignments, power shifts, and intense negotiations are expected to dominate Nigeria’s political space ahead of 2027.
As INEC begins vetting the 110 applications, the next few months may define not just party registrations—but the very shape of the 2027 presidential race.
