Ezenwa Nwagu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advisory Centre in Africa, has criticized many of the 110 associations applying for registration as political parties
Executive Director, Peering Advocacy and Advisory Centre in Africa, Ezenwa Nwagu, has said that many of the 110 associations applying to be registered as political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, are jokers.
According to him, it is on record that as many as seventy of such associations have had their offices in cemeteries.
Speaking on Arise News, Nwagu said many applicants lack basic requirements such as acronyms, credible leadership, or verifiable addresses. “Well, I think it’s the right of people… to associate… But it’s actually not an all-comers affair,” he stated.
He highlighted that INEC’s registration guidelines require a constitution, functional leadership, and a valid address, yet some applicants listed addresses located in cemeteries.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu recently disclosed that 110 associations had submitted letters of intent by June 23, 2025.
Nwagu added, “Many of them are jokers,” and explained the step-by-step process, including paying administrative fees and submitting key documents via an online platform, before applications are even considered.
“If you remember what we used to have, we had those registered organizations that we talked about, the 70 of them, the addresses were found to be in cemeteries. It was laughable.”