Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a powerful bloc of opposition figures under the banner of the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG) has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register a new political party—All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The coalition, chaired by former Senate President David Mark, includes heavyweight politicians such as former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, who is heading the party’s New Platform Committee (NPC). The committee is also co-led by Dr. Umar Ardo, who serves as secretary.
According to a statement released on May 19 and signed by Amaechi and Ardo, the coalition’s drive for a new political platform stems from extensive consultations and strategic planning sessions. The NPC, composed of 15 members, was mandated to form an association and apply to INEC for party registration.
At its June 19 meeting in Abuja, the NPC approved the name All Democratic Alliance (ADA), alongside other key elements such as:
Party logo, slogan, and motto
A formal constitution and manifesto
Appointment of Chief Akin A. Ricketts as Protem Chairman and Abdullahi Musa Elayo as Protem National Secretary
The interim leadership has also been tasked with securing office space, opening a party bank account, and preparing the party structure for full operations post-INEC approval.
This move aligns with ongoing national conversations about a unified opposition front aimed at challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
In recent months, political watchers have speculated on a possible coalition involving key 2023 presidential contenders such as Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State. Atiku’s spokesperson confirmed in May that discussions are indeed underway among these leaders to form a formidable alliance.
He said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today:
“There have been ongoing discussions between Atiku Abubakar and some opposition leaders, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai… At the end of that discussion, they will come out with a position and the direction we’re going to follow based on the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”
Despite this momentum, the APC has dismissed the emerging opposition front as futile, insisting that President Tinubu remains politically unshakable ahead of 2027.
The registration of ADA marks a bold first step by the opposition in reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, as alliances solidify and power blocks begin to take form in the lead-up to the next general elections.
