19TH JUNE 2025, is not an ordinary date, it is a watershed in Nigerian politics. It was the day the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG) submitted its application for the registration of All Democratic Alliance (ADA), as a political party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The decision to float a new party, rather than adopting any existing party could be due to the following: First, contemporary political history has definitively settled the quest for opposition political vehicles in Nigeria. In 2013, a saner, relaxed and accommodative political order the opposition leaders registered a new party, rather than using any of the existing parties as the oppositional platform. Therefore, the preference for a new party is guided by a historical precedent and political pragmatism.
The APC may rant a hundredfold against the coalition and ADA, it may rain invectives on their leaders, it may attempt to infiltrate it with fifth columnists, but that wouldn’t neutralise its growing negative public perception.
Secondly, the major opposition parties have been incapacitated to play any significant oppositional roles in 2027. Almost three years after its presidential primaries, peace has eluded the PDP, and there could be deadlier booby traps on its journey to 2027.
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Similarly, the Labour Party is in pieces. Despite the Supreme Court’s recognition of the Abure-led leadership, the tussles with the Obi/Otti-backed Usman caretaker committee has taken a dangerous toll on the party.
The NNPP is also afflicted with the destabilising impact of governmental interference. The Ajuji Ahmed’s National Executive Committee is slugging it out with the Agbo Major’s factional leadership. And fifth columnists in the SDP are set to tear it apart, after el-Rufai’s defection from the APC. All the major opposition parties are subjected to a destabilising plot, disorienting them before the 2027 elections.
Thirdly, a new party is unconstrained by any baggage, and could hardly offend any segment of its members. Without any put offs, it radiates hope, carries everybody along, neutralising emerging challenges. It reassuringly faces the future, with the exuberant tenacity to displace a ruling party from office, becoming a game changer in electoral politics.
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The ADA is the product of wider political consultations, horse-trading, and the eagle-eyed countenance to ward off fifth columnists from the coalition. It is the condensed expression of the political commitment to dislodge a ruling party from power.
A political association is better defined by its mission and vision. The ADA mission is embedded in its logo and symbol. The red colour represents valour and hard work, without which the nation would never be great again. The blue colour symbolises national cohesion and merit-based leadership recruitment paradigm. And green is for economic self-reliance, whilst the maize symbolises agricultural self-sufficiency, and food security in the nation.
The ADA is envisioned to establish a progressive state, based on democratic ideals, social justice, economic progress and equity, reinforced with a justice for all political culture.
A progressive state couldn’t be less than a welfare state, which Nigerians recall with relish, and would be far away from the reigning neoliberal regime, which every non-ruling Nigerian detests.
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ADA’s core objectives include: national unity and reconciliation; patriotic reorientation and nationhood; democratic and institutional renewal; economic and scientific empowerment; social order and ethical governance; and a pragmatic Africa-centred foreign policy.
None of the government weakened parties is in the mood to electorally confront the APC. But if it is registered, the ADA would be poised for maximum electoral impact in 2027.
The ADA is more than a coalitional platform awaiting registration as a political party. Since it is envisioning a progressive state, the ADA must be a progressive alliance, perched on a high moral altitude to save the nation from democratic recession and collapse.
The APC may rant a hundredfold against the coalition and ADA, it may rain invectives on their leaders, it may attempt to infiltrate it with fifth columnists, but that wouldn’t neutralise its growing negative public perception.
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Ever fearful of the impact of its toxic policies and exclusive governance style; ever jittery about the unity of the opposition leaders; rattled that Nigerians would re-create 2015 in 2027 make the APC apprehensive of the ADA, set on a trajectory to become one of the latest political parties in the nation.
The cry for justice echoes loudly throughout the nation, and due to the nature of the national mood, the ADA couldn’t have applied for registration at a better time than now.
The North cries for justice and inclusive governance; the poor seek deliverance from the harsh policies of the neoliberal-emilokun regime. And if the dumped Shettima and the Kwankwaso plot materialises, the North East would demand justice, as it has been crying that the zone is neglected by the government. And for many in the North West, North Central and other terror laden zones, they demand the protection of the Nigerian state.
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It is only a party led by committed democrats which could deliver justice to everyone in the nation. With the calibre of its members, the ADA is set to change the political narrative in the nation. And its progressive state would inclusively carry all Nigerians along, reduce the neoliberal space in the economy, eradicate emilokun from the lexicology of the ruling elite; and eliminate cult-like political orders and dynasties. It would make Nigeria great again, and reposition the nation for its proper continental and global responsibilities.
The ADA is more than a coalitional platform awaiting registration as a political party. Since it is envisioning a progressive state, the ADA must be a progressive alliance, perched on a high moral altitude to save the nation from democratic recession and collapse.
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With these lofty political goals, it is unstoppable in its triumphant journey to 2027. But vigilance is required to keep it immune from the fate of the other opposition groups and parties.
If what is good for the goose is good for the gander, the INEC should be in a fix: it couldn’t have registered the APC as the opposition party in 2013, and dilly-dally on the registration of the ADA.
Finally, after 60 days from 19th June, the coalition group could shout eureka, because its quest for a coalitional platform would be over, as the ADA would be deemed to be duly registered, if there is no negative feedback from INEC, as stated in section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Jahun, a public affairs analyst writes from Dutse, the Jigawa State Capital. He can be reached on 07039038088.
