Atiku & El-Rufai Seek INEC Approval for New Party: “All Democratic Alliance”


Atiku & El-Rufai Seek INEC Approval for New Party: “All Democratic Alliance”

In a strategic move ahead of the 2027 elections, notable Nigerian politicians Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El‑Rufai have jointly approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register a new political party named All Democratic Alliance (ADA). The initiative is a coordinated effort to consolidate opposition forces and present a compelling alternative to the ruling APC.

 What’s Driving ADA’s Formation?


Over 100 political groups have applied to INEC for registration, navigating a sluggish approval process.


Advocates argue that registering a fresh party—such as ADA—will bypass internal friction in established parties (PDP, APC, LP), offering a more unified front .


“More than 70 groups have submitted applications… ‘INEC is sitting on them,’” said former APC member Salihu Lukman, citing procedural bottlenecks.

 Coalition Strategy & Political Calculus


The National Opposition Coalition, which includes Atiku and El‑Rufai, split between two strategies: joining an existing party (like ADC or SDP) or forming a new one (ADA).


Supporters of ADA highlight the advantage of a clean-slate party, which reduces internal contestation and legal hurdles compared to established platforms .


Proponents say ADA’s flexible structure and neutral appeal would foster unity among diverse opposition figures.

 Overcoming INEC’s Registration Delays


Concerns are mounting over INEC’s slow processing, with concerns that delays could hamper preparations for the 2027 elections.


Advocates point out that current delays may violate the 2022 Electoral Act, which stipulates that unacknowledged applications over 90 days should be considered automatically registered.


INEC officials say the delay stems from ongoing verification processes, and they’re developing an online portal to improve transparency.

 Bottom Line

Key Point Implication:
New Opposition Party ADA aims to unify opposition ahead of 2027 elections.
Strategic Rationale A fresh platform avoids factionalism in older parties.
INEC Delays Slow approvals may hinder ADA’s full launch.
Legal Leverage 2022 Electoral Act may expedite automatic registration.


By applying for ADA’s registration, Atiku and El‑Rufai aim to reset the political landscape, avoiding old party entanglements while aligning disparate opposition groups under one banner. The success of this venture depends not only on coalition unity but also on INEC’s responsiveness to new party registrations.


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