….The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups

The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.

The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.

The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.

The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.

The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.

With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.

A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.

The letter partly read, “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 a 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 coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.

The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.

“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 organisation,” the letter continued.

….the new political party is set to challenge APC, PDP in 2027

A major political shake-up is underway in Benue State as a new coalition of political actors and parties has emerged, vowing to challenge the long-standing dominance of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 general elections.

The coalition, made up of stakeholders from across the Benue South Senatorial District, convened over the weekend at Haggi Suite, Otukpo, where discussions centered on the formation of a formidable third-force movement aimed at redefining the political landscape in the state.

In a scathing critique of the current state of the PDP, former Benue State PDP Chairman, Chief John Ngbede, described the party as “decayed and hijacked by selfish interests.”

He lamented that the party no longer reflects the collective aspirations of the people.

“The PDP has been taken over by individuals who build barriers instead of bridges. They have imported poverty and division into our communities. It’s time to unite under a new coalition that will restore hope,” Ngbede declared.

The emerging coalition draws support from all nine local government areas of Benue South Apa, Agatu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Otukpo, Okpokwu, Oju, and Obi.

Among key figures present at the meeting were Chief John Ngbede, Hon. David Olofu, Prof. David Salifu, Chief Chris Adaba Abah, Alhaji Audu Sule, Chief Abba Adaudu, Rt. Hon. Abu Umoru, Rt. Hon. Abu Edor, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, and Mrs. Abeje Egwa.

Also speaking at the gathering, former Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. David Olofu, criticized the present administration’s failure to address the chronic lack of infrastructure in rural areas, a situation he said has aggravated insecurity and deepened poverty.

“Any government that fails to invest in rural infrastructure fails its people. Insecurity thrives where there is abandonment.

That’s why our people are desperate for an alternative platform, one that prioritizes dignity, safety, and sustainable development,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will choose his running mate for the 2027 presidential election only after formally accepting the party’s nomination during its convention in 2026.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, disclosed this on Thursday in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust.

In a response to a question on why the presidency has remained silent amid growing controversy over the omission of Vice President Kashim Shettima from a wave of endorsements for Tinubu, Onanuga dismissed suggestions that the silence amounted to tacit approval of the vice president’s exclusion.

“When I read the report, I dismissed it as a non-issue. In a presidential system, the candidate emerges first and then selects a running mate. That’s what happened under Buhari—he was nominated first and later picked his running mate. You don’t do both at once.”