2027: Atiku, El-Rufai, others pick new platform, approach INEC for registration

Opposition leaders under the banner of the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG) have adopted the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as the platform to use in tackling the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

NNCG has also formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register as a party ahead of the next general elections.
The coalition’s application letter addressed to INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and dated June 19, was co-signed by the National Chairman of ADA, Chief Akin Ricketts and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Musa Elayo.

The letter which was stamped received by the office of the INEC chairman on June 20, 2025, was titled: “Application for registration as a political party” with ADA name and flag.

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“We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance as a political party.
“This is sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.
“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.
“We have also herewith attached our logo describing in details the symbolism of our party colours and the their configuration and the corn (Maize).
“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology, and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures and organization, regulates our affairs and guides our actions in alignment with Section 40 and 222 of the Constitution, Section 75 of the Electoral Act (2022) and global democratic principles and objectives.
“Please find attached the following documents: our party flag depicting our name, acronym and slogan, manifesto, constitution and minutes of meeting.
“While we eagerly await further action from the commission on the next step forward towards attaining our desired goal, please accept the consideration of our highest respect. Thank you yours most sincerely; Chief Akin A. Rickets, Protem National Chairman,” the letter read.
Members of the coalition include: Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi; his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai; the convener of the League of Northern Democrats, Dr. Umar Ardo, and former Senate President David Mark, among others.
The group had considered joining an existing political party which saw the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) being earlier considered.

The coalition later set up a committee to consider the option of registering a new platform where all members will start on equal footing in terms of membership.
This was after several members of the coalition expressed concerns over the internal wrangling within existing parties, which in some cases led to litigations.