Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi have teamed up to float a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The group, operating under the banner of the National Opposition Coalition Group, formally submitted its registration application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, June 19. INEC acknowledged receipt on Friday.
This move ends weeks of speculation over whether the coalition would revive an existing party or create a new platform altogether.
Other notable figures backing the formation of ADA include Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and a former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to political insiders, the formation of ADA is a strategic response to mounting public discontent and shifting alliances aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
The application letter, signed by ADA’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo, reads 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.
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 submitted core documents including its constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of foundational meetings. According to the letter, the party’s symbol—a maize (corn) head—signifies “abundance, resilience, and sustenance,” which the group describes as the guiding principles of their political agenda.
INEC, just days earlier, had issued a reminder that registration of political parties must comply strictly with constitutional and electoral guidelines, stating that no amount of pressure or sentiment would sway its process.
“Party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration,” the Commission said.
