Welcome to Aprokoman - Naija Gossip Hub

The Movement of the People, a political group inspired by the legacy of late Afrobeat singer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has sought registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission as a political party.

In a campaign titled “Register To Rise: The People’s Voice for Electoral Justice,” the group sought to address what it described as critical barriers to political participation in Nigeria, with a key focus on the timely registration of the MOP as a political party.

In a statement issued by its Protem Chairman and musician, Seun Kuti, obtained on Sunday, it highlighted what it termed a pressing concern, “the need for MOP’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission before the anticipated statutory suspension of registrations in early 2026, ahead of the 2027 general election.”

Kuti said “Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive when the political space is continuously restricted.

“Since 2018, no new political party has been registered in Nigeria, while 72 existing parties have been deregistered. This severe restriction limits citizens’ political choices and undermines true democratic representation.”

The movement disclosed that it had made four formal attempts to register as a political party since 2021, with its most recent application submitted to INEC on March 1, 2025.

The group expressed concern over the lack of progress on the application.

“For four years, we have followed every procedure and met every requirement, yet INEC continues to delay our registration.

“This is not just about MOP – it’s about ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy remains open to new voices and fresh ideas,” the spokesperson said.

As part of its campaign, the MOP planned to engage in digital mobilisation, community outreach, and coalition-building with like-minded groups to raise awareness of inclusive democratic practices.

When contacted, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the claim was not true.

“I need to confirm from the department what the situation is, but that definitely cannot be true – that we’re not responding to their request – that is not true,” she said in a telephone conversation.

https://punchng.com/group-wants-inec-to-register-new-political-party/