Power Shift in the Making: Opposition Coalition Moves to Register New Party ADA to Challenge Tinubu’s APC in 2027

 

A fresh wave of political reconfiguration is underway in Nigeria as the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG) has formally taken steps to establish a new political force ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group has submitted an official application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the registration of a new political party to be known as the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

The request was made through a letter dated 19th June 2025 and officially received by INEC on 20th June 2025. The letter was signed by Chief Akin A. Rickets, who currently serves as the Protem National Chairman of the emerging political entity.

According to reports published by Vanguard, the application represents a major move by members of a political coalition believed to be aligned against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The documentation submitted to INEC contains the full package required for the registration of a political party in Nigeria. These include the party’s acronym, ADA, its slogan “Justice for All”, its proposed logo featuring maize and symbolic party colours, as well as its constitution and manifesto.

The coalition emphasized in the letter that this request was the outcome of a strategic decision by its members to avoid merging with any existing political platform. Instead, the NNCG opted to chart a new course, believing that the formation of a fresh political identity would provide a more credible pathway to achieving its objective of challenging the current administration.

The letter reads in part, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, as a political party. This is sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.”

It further stated, “The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan. The National Secretariat of the party is as stated at the bottom of the association’s letterhead used in this application.”

Describing the symbolism contained in the logo and the party colours, the letter noted that the maize motif was intended to represent abundance, resilience, and connection to grassroots communities. The submission also included detailed sections on the ideology guiding the party’s mission, which draws on global democratic principles and is aligned with the Nigerian Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act.

The party’s constitution, according to Chief Rickets, defines its organizational structure, leadership framework, and internal governance standards. The accompanying manifesto outlines the party's policy direction and national development priorities.

High-profile political figures are believed to be the driving force behind the NNCG and its effort to register ADA. These include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Dr. Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats.

Their decision to back the formation of a new party follows the submission of a strategic report by a committee led by Rotimi Amaechi. The report strongly recommended the creation of an entirely new platform, concluding that existing parties were structurally incapable of mobilizing the scale of support required to unseat the APC.

The anti-Tinubu coalition appears determined to galvanize nationwide support through a new political identity that they believe will resonate more deeply with Nigerians disillusioned by the current administration. ADA, if approved by INEC, will serve as the platform through which these prominent figures aim to mount a robust challenge in 2027.

The mood within opposition circles suggests that this move is not merely symbolic but a carefully calculated strategy aimed at realigning Nigeria’s political trajectory. Political analysts believe the formation of ADA could significantly alter the dynamics of the 2027 elections, particularly if the coalition manages to build a unified front and present a viable alternative to the APC’s dominance.

As Nigeria inches closer to another crucial election cycle, the potential entry of a new party backed by influential political veterans is certain to draw attention from both the electorate and international observers. All eyes will now be on INEC’s response as the nation awaits the next chapter in what promises to be a fiercely contested political future.