In a seismic shift that could redraw Nigeria’s political landscape, a powerful coalition of opposition heavyweights led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has formally applied to register a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The bombshell application, submitted to INEC on June 19 and officially acknowledged Friday, represents the most serious attempt yet to consolidate Nigeria’s fragmented opposition, combining Atiku’s vast political network with El-Rufai’s reformist credentials and Amaechi’s grassroots appeal in a bold bid to unseat the ruling APC.
THE POWER PLAYERS BEHIND ADA
✔ Atiku Abubakar (PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate)
✔ Nasir El-Rufai (APC rebel/former Kaduna governor)
✔ Rotimi Amaechi (Ex-Transport Minister/Rivers governor)
✔ Umar Ardo (Obasanjo-era strategist/Northern political tactician)
WHY THIS MOVIE MATTERS
🔹 First major opposition merger since Tinubu’s 2023 victory
🔹 Capitalizes on growing discontent over economic hardship
🔹 Threatens to split both APC and PDP voter bases
🔹 INEC’s stern warning: Registration isn’t automatic
THE PARTY’S IDENTITY
• Symbol: Maize (representing “abundance & resilience”)
• Slogan: “Justice for All”
• Gameplan: Position as “third force” for disillusioned voters
WHAT’S NEXT?
✅ INEC’s 30-day review process begins
✅ Intense lobbying expected from APC/PDP to block registration
✅ Potential mass defections if registration succeeds
