Nigeria has 18 INEC-registered political parties as of 2024. These range from major national parties with governors and legislators to smaller parties with niche appeal.
Tier 1 — Major Parties:
- •APC (All Progressives Congress) — The ruling party. Controls 22+ governors and the presidency.
- •PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) — The main opposition. Ruled Nigeria from 1999-2015.
- •LP (Labour Party) — Surged in 2023 with Peter Obi. Strong in the South-East and urban centers.
- •NNPP (New Nigeria Peoples Party) — Controls Kano. Regional powerhouse.
- •ADC (African Democratic Congress) — Growing opposition platform.
Tier 2 — Significant Parties: APGA, SDP, ADP, PRP, AAC, YPP — These parties hold state assembly seats and some federal positions.
Tier 3 — Minor Parties: Accord, Boot Party, Action Alliance, and others. These often serve as platforms for candidates who lose primaries in major parties.
Party Registration:
- •Have offices in at least 24 states
- •Submit membership lists from all 36 states
- •Pay prescribed fees to INEC
- •Not have ethnic, religious, or regional identity
The number of registered parties fluctuates — INEC deregisters parties that fail to win elections. In 2020, INEC deregistered 74 parties, reducing the total from 92 to 18.