In a major political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of influential Nigerian political leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has applied to register a new political party — the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The political movement, operating under the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG), submitted its official registration request to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signaling the beginning of what insiders describe as a bold plan to present a unified opposition and credible alternative to the ruling party.
The decision to form a new party follows failed talks to align with existing platforms like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC). The coalition has instead opted for a fresh structure with a new identity designed to appeal to a broader segment of the Nigerian electorate.
Former Nigerian Ports Authority chairman Chief Akin Anderson Rickets has been named protem national chairman, while Abdullahi Musa Elayo, a former House of Representatives member from Nasarawa State, has been appointed protem national secretary.
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In the submission to INEC, Rickets emphasized that the ADA stands for equity, democratic justice, and national renewal. The party’s slogan, “Justice for All,” and its maize-themed logo are intended to represent resilience, growth, and grassroots connection — themes the coalition hopes will resonate with voters disillusioned by the status quo.
Sources close to the coalition confirm that several other high-ranking political figures are involved in the formation of ADA, including Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, John Oyegun, Rauf Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami, Babachir Lawal, Uche Secondus, Osita Chidoka, and Nnenna Ukeje.
These names reflect a cross-party alliance bringing together former members of the PDP, APC, and LP in what may be Nigeria’s most ambitious opposition project since the formation of the APC in 2013.
The ADA application includes a detailed constitution, manifesto, flag, slogan, and official documents that outline the party’s structure and compliance with Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Despite the buzz, the move has drawn criticism from the Federal Government. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, dismissed the effort as “an overhyped registration attempt,” claiming the promoters are trying to create psychological impact rather than true political momentum.
“There’s no coalition here. Just individuals exercising their right to register a party. This is no APC-style merger. It’s political noise without substance,” Keyamo said via social media platform X.
Still, political observers say the emergence of the All Democratic Alliance adds a new dimension to Nigeria’s pre-2027 political landscape. With growing public dissatisfaction over economic hardship, insecurity, and governance gaps, the appetite for a new political party in Nigeria is stronger than ever.
Whether ADA can transform this early momentum into nationwide electoral success remains to be seen. But the coalition’s entry into the field signals that the battle for 2027 has already begun.
