The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to register the proposed political party, All Democratic Alliance (ADA), saying it failed to meet basic requirements. The Commission made the decision public on Tuesday, explaining that the group had not satisfied the necessary conditions for formal registration.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, said ADA and other aspiring political groups must fulfil all legal and procedural steps before registration can be considered. According to him, ADA’s current submission remains only a letter of intent and cannot qualify as an application.
“The truth is that we have so many letters of intent presently, and none of them is an application yet,” he explained. “They must first meet the criteria before submitting a letter of intent.”
He added that the Commission takes party registration seriously and will only proceed when all required steps have been followed. ADA was reportedly disqualified at the early stage due to an error in its communication to the electoral body. According to INEC officials, the ADA proponents failed to address their letter properly. They omitted the word “electoral” in their letter to the INEC chairman, which is considered a formal misstep.
NEC Maintains Caution in Handling Party Registration Requests While INEC continues to receive numerous requests for new political parties, the Commission insists that proper procedures must be followed. Mr. Olumekun noted that letters of intent do not automatically qualify as applications. He said each request must align with the Electoral Act, including conditions such as a proper administrative structure, national spread, and formal identification.
The Commission has restated its commitment to maintaining transparency and upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s multiparty system. It said it will not lower standards to accommodate any group. As of now, no new political party has progressed beyond the expression-of-interest stage. ADA, like others, must correct its errors and fulfill all legal criteria before its application can move forward.
