The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission to register a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance.
The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform rather than aligning with any existing political party.
The formation of the ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, aims to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
The application comes just a few days after INEC reminded political parties that no amount of pressure or popular emotion could outweigh the need for rigorous adherence to constitutional and electoral procedures.
The commission stressed that party registration involves a rigorous constitutional process, not just a political declaration.
With Thursday’s application, the national opposition alliance has put an end to weeks of debate over whether it will resuscitate an old political platform or create a new one entirely.
Our correspondent in Abuja received a copy of the application letter, which was signed jointly by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.
The letter partly read, “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 a 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 coalition also supplied essential documents, such as the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes from its founding meetings.
The party’s insignia prominently depicts maize (corn), which the petitioners claim represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—ideals they wish to promote.
“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,” the letter continued.
