Opposition leaders seek INEC registration for new party ahead of 2027 elections

The National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), led by key political figures including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, has applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of a new political party named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

The move, confirmed in a statement dated May 19, 2025, follows a strategic meeting of the coalition held in Abuja on May 6. The application was submitted by the New Platform Committee (NPC), chaired by Amaechi, with Umar Ardo serving as secretary. The 15-member NPC was tasked with forming the association and securing INEC registration.

According to the statement, the NPC approved the party’s name, logo, slogan, and motto during a follow-up meeting on June 19, 2025. The committee also adopted the ADA constitution and manifesto and named Chief Akin A. Ricketts as the Protem Chairman and Abdullahi Musa Elayo as the Protem National Secretary.

The interim leadership was further mandated to establish a party office, open a bank account upon INEC approval, and begin preliminary party activities in line with the Electoral Act (2022).

This development comes amid increasing speculation about a broader coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Reports suggest that high-profile opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, are in talks to form a united front.

Confirming the speculation in May, Atiku’s spokesperson said the opposition leaders were “still in talks,” adding that the coalition would reflect the “yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”