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INEC exposes major flaws in ADA’s registration request, says no formal application received
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Electoral body cites incorrect commission name, missing legal documents, and unverified signatures
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ADA linked to political heavyweights, but INEC insists law, not influence, governs registration
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) has failed to meet the foundational legal requirements for registration as a political party in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Mr. Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, during a press briefing held Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, ADA’s attempt to join the nation’s electoral space was procedurally flawed and legally inadequate. “At the moment, we have received many expressions of interest, but none qualifies as a formal application,” Olumekun stated.
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Specifically, ADA’s letter—dated June 19 and jointly signed by its protem National Chairman Mr. Akin Ricketts and protem National Secretary Mr. Abdullahi Musa Elayo—was addressed to the wrong agency name: “Independent National Commission” instead of the correct “Independent National Electoral Commission.”
Beyond the naming error, INEC said ADA’s application lacked several statutory prerequisites outlined in the 2022 Electoral Act and the Commission’s internal registration guidelines, including evidence of a functional national headquarters and verifiable signatures from at least 24 states.
Despite not meeting the criteria, ADA has drawn national attention following perceived endorsements or interest from political heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Senate President David Mark, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. However, none of these individuals has officially confirmed affiliation with the party.
INEC maintained that influence or speculation plays no role in registration decisions.
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The Commission is expected to provide further clarification during a consultative meeting with leaders of the 19 already-registered political parties on Thursday, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
The session will also involve civil society groups, media stakeholders, and security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), co-chaired by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
