INEC clears 17 parties for Abuja council polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that only 17 registered political parties will participate in the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections.

The Commission said the parties met the legal and administrative requirements to field candidates for the polls.

According to INEC, no other political party will be allowed to participate in the election outside the approved list.

The cleared parties are A, AA, AAC, ADC, ADP, APC, APGA, APM, APP, BP, NNPP, NRM, PDP, SDP, YPP, PRP and ZLP.

INEC said the decision was in line with the Electoral Act and existing guidelines governing party participation in elections.

The Commission urged voters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to verify their polling units and collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the election.

INEC also advised political parties and candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully and in line with the rules guiding the electoral process.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.