By Rafiyat Sadiq
ADA Registration Request Signals Fresh Political Realignment
After weeks of consultations and internal debate, a coalition of opposition leaders has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Prominent political figures behind the move include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Dr. Umar Ardo, among others.
Application Received by INEC on June 20
The application, dated June 19 and addressed to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, was co-signed by Akin Ricketts as National Chairman and Abdullahi Musa Elayo as Protem National Secretary of the emerging political platform. INEC officially received the letter on June 20, as confirmed by a stamped copy obtained by reporters.
Titled “Application for Registration as a Political Party,” the letter outlined the group’s request and declared:
“We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party. This is sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.”
The party’s proposed slogan is “Justice for All”, and it will adopt ADA as its official acronym.
Decision to Form New Party Follows Rejected Merger Proposals
Prior to initiating the registration process, the coalition had explored merging with existing parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
However, internal divisions and ongoing litigations within those parties raised red flags for coalition members.
In response, a special committee chaired by Rotimi Amaechi was tasked with evaluating the possibility of launching a completely new political platform.
The committee submitted its final report last week, recommending the creation of a fresh party where all members would begin on equal footing.
Omission of ‘Electoral’ in INEC Address Sparks Concern Over Party Registration
Opposition leaders behind the newly proposed political platform, All Democratic Alliance (ADA), omitted the word “Electoral” in their letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The letter, which seeks the commission’s approval to register ADA as a political party, was directed to the “Independent National Commission”—a deviation from its official name Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The oversight has raised questions about whether INEC may consider the omission a technical flaw capable of affecting the application’s validity.
INEC, which has long suspended the registration of new political parties, has yet to respond publicly to the submission.
The involvement of high-profile opposition figures including the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Governors Nasir el-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi adds weight to the coalition’s efforts.
According to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC has the legal authority to register and deregister political parties.
Section 221 states: “No association by whatever name called shall function as a party, unless – (a) the names and addresses of its national officers are registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
The Electoral Act 2022 further stipulates that any application for party registration must be submitted at least one year prior to a general election.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.