The Federal Government has reacted as a coalition of opposition leaders led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai seeks to register a new political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, under the banner of the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG), formally submitted its application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration of the proposed party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The move is in contrast to earlier attempts by the group to align with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The decision to go solo was reached during a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, with INEC confirming receipt of the application on Friday.
The proposed party has appointed Chief Akin Anderson Rickets—former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority during El-Rufai’s tenure as Minister of Transportation—as protem national chairman. Abdullahi Musa Elayo, a former member of the House of Representatives from Nasarawa State, was named protem national secretary.
In the application letter addressed to INEC, Rickets wrote, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, 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 name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.
The National Secretariat of the party is, as stated at the bottom of the association’s letterhead, used in this application.
We have also herewith attached our logo describing in details the symbolism of our party colours and their configuration and the corn (Maize).
“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology, and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures and organisation, regulates our affairs and guides our actions in alignment with Section 40 and 222 of the Constitution, Section 75 of the Electoral Act (2022) and global democratic principles and objectives.
“Please find attached the following documents: our party flag depicting our name, acronym and slogan, manifesto, constitution and minutes of meeting.
While we eagerly await further action from the commission on the next step forward towards attaining our desired goal, please accept the consideration of our highest respect.”
Other notable figures said to be involved in the formation of ADA include Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, John Oyegun, Rauf Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami, Babachir Lawal, Uche Secondus, Osita Chidoka, and Nnenna Ukeje.
The coalition has an aim to unite opposition forces under one banner to offer what it calls a “credible alternative” to the ruling party in the next general election.
Reacting to the development, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo dismissed the coalition’s efforts, accusing the group of exaggerating their political strength.
“This is just a simple application for party registration. There is nothing like a ‘coalition’ here,” Keyamo posted on X.
“It is an unnecessary hype the promoters have been struggling to create all along; it is just a psychological warfare on Nigerians – a weak attempt at mass appeal. No recognised existing political party or parties are part of this. If they are thinking of recreating what the APC did in 2013, then this is nothing but a pedestrian joke; a complete mockery of that seismic political coalition that birthed APC in 2013.
“A few individuals exercising their constitutional right to form a new political party cannot be described as a ‘coalition’ or even a ‘merger’. This is not different from several political associations springing up everyday for the same purpose. After all the razzmatazz, it boils down to the fact that a new political party is just attempting registration by a few Nigerians; it is a disappointing anti-climax to all the preceding pomp and pageantry.”