The National Opposition Coalition Group has formally submitted an application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the registration of a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance, ADA.
The coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, filed the application dated June 19. INEC acknowledged receipt of the request on Friday, signalling a significant move by the opposition bloc to establish a new political platform.
The proposed formation of ADA is also backed by other prominent political figures, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and a former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo. The new party aims to leverage increasing public dissatisfaction and ongoing political realignments in a bid to challenge President Bola Tinubu at the next general election.
The application comes just days after INEC reiterated that no amount of political pressure or public appeal would override the need for strict adherence to constitutional provisions and electoral guidelines regarding party registration.
The letter submitted to INEC was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo. It read in part:
“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.”
According to the submission, the party will go by the acronym ADA, with the slogan “Justice for All.” In line with INEC requirements, the group enclosed key documents including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of foundational meetings.
The proposed party symbol features a maize (corn), which the founders say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance — values that reflect the core ideology of the new party.
“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 added.
If granted approval, the All Democratic Alliance will formally enter Nigeria’s political space as the latest opposition platform ahead of the next election cycle.
