The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied reports suggesting it has registered a new political party known as the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), stating clearly that no association has fulfilled the legal requirements for recognition as a political party in Nigeria.
The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, disclosed that although the commission has received several letters of intent from different groups seeking registration, none has submitted a valid application that meets the criteria stipulated by the Electoral Act.
According to him, the current stage of communication from interested groups does not qualify as official registration, and the commission is not in receipt of any compliant application.
His statement is coming amid growing media claims that the ADA—allegedly backed by a coalition of political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President David Mark, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi has already taken steps to position itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADA movement is said to be part of a larger political strategy by opposition figures who are working behind closed doors to consolidate efforts towards challenging the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite the momentum building in political circles and online spaces around this proposed coalition, no formal documentation or official structure has been presented to INEC for evaluation or approval.
INEC has reiterated that political party registration in Nigeria is a rigorous legal process governed by the 2022 Electoral Act, which outlines specific conditions and multiple layers of verification that must be completed before a group can be certified as a political party.
The commission emphasised that compliance begins with the formal submission of a letter of intent, followed by strict administrative and legal checks to verify submitted documents such as the party constitution, manifesto, title deeds to its headquarters, a verified membership register, and proof that the party’s executive officers reflect Nigeria’s federal character by having representation from at least 24 states and the FCT.
Only after all these conditions are satisfied will INEC proceed to the final stage of inspections and identity verification, after which a certificate of registration may be granted.
The commission warned that any attempt to bypass the process or submit false information will lead to automatic disqualification and may attract legal prosecution under the Electoral Act.
In its words, the commission stressed that no association, “by whatever name called,” shall be registered unless it meets the full legal and administrative benchmarks outlined in the law and INEC guidelines.
