110 New Party Bids Signal Fierce Battle to Unseat Tinubu in 2027

Nigeria’s political arena is bracing for a stormy buildup to the 2027 general elections, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirms it has received 110 applications for the registration of new political parties. This surge, observers say, is driven by a mounting desire among various political actors to prevent President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) from retaining power.

In the past, registering parties was often motivated by the lure of funding from INEC, but that practice has long ended. Today, insiders say, the rush stems from fears of being left without a viable platform in the volatile climate leading to 2027. According to an APC official, who declined to be named, the volume of applications points to a coordinated attempt by opposition figures and even disaffected factions within the ruling party to build new coalitions and alternative vehicles for contesting power.

Behind many of these applications, sources say, are powerful political figures using proxies — often through law firms — to conceal their involvement. A senior INEC official noted that the pattern is familiar: many of these promoters only reveal themselves publicly once registration is granted or denied, either to contest for positions or to criticize the electoral body.

Some applicants intend to use these parties as “Special Purpose Vehicles” — ready fallback options in case their current political homes implode ahead of 2027. History has shown heavyweight politicians often step into dormant parties, negotiate their way to control, and install loyalists at the helm before launching major campaigns.

However, not all applications have been thoroughly prepared. In one glaring example, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), led by Chief Akin Ricketts, addressed its submission to the “Independent National Commission,” rather than the correct agency name. Even more confusing, there are two different groups using the ADA acronym on INEC’s list — one led by Ricketts and another called the Advanced Democratic Alliance, chaired by Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman.

Civil society leaders like Ezenwa Nwagu of the Peering Advocacy and Advisory Centre in Africa have dismissed many of the bids as unserious, describing them as “jokers” and questioning the motives behind so many rushed applications. Yet, the sheer volume of activity reflects an intense wave of political maneuvering, as stakeholders position themselves to shape the outcome of the next presidential race.

With INEC now scrutinizing the 110 letters of intent, the coming months are expected to bring a flurry of negotiations, strategic realignments, and potential mergers. How these new political entities emerge — and whether they coalesce into credible threats — could be decisive in determining the path of Nigeria’s democracy in 2027.