The ADA is among the groups seeking registration with the electoral umpire, as part of a broader effort to form a coalition against President Bola Tinubu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that it is deliberately frustrating the registration of new political parties, which includes the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) promoted by opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The clarification from the electoral body comes amid rising doubts among opposition leaders about INEC’s willingness to approve new political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

The ADA is among the groups seeking registration with the electoral umpire, as part of a broader effort to form a coalition against President Bola Tinubu.

However, while speaking on Monday during his appearance on the ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, El-Rufai said there was widespread scepticism among opposition leaders regarding INEC’s willingness under the leadership of Mahmood Yakubu, its chairman, to approve new party registration.

Reacting to the concerns, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday, told civil society organisations at a consultative meeting in Abuja that the Commission is not hesitating on the matter and remains committed to acting within the law.

“There are partisan insinuations in some quarters that the Commission is equivocating on the matter in a manner that compromises our independence. Nothing can be further from the truth,” Yakubu said.

“Nigerians may recall that the same unfounded accusation was made in 2013 when under similar circumstances, that INEC was not keen on the merger of political parties because the Commission had allegedly “merged with the ruling party” at the time,” he added.

Yakubu pointed out that the current Commission holds the record for registering the largest number of political parties, adding that it acted in line with the electoral framework and has always done so without bias.

He said, “For the record, the present Commission registered the largest number of political parties in Nigeria strictly following the provision of the electoral legal framework. For the 2019 General Election, there were 91 political parties and 73 presidential candidates. 

“The Commission was criticised in some quarters for registering too many political parties. After the election, the Commission also deregistered over 70 political parties as provided by law.”

He assured political associations and the general public that all applications will be treated fairly, and the Commission will be transparent about its decisions.

“We wish to reassure Nigerians that under the current situation, we will continue to operate strictly under the law and in fairness to all associations seeking registration as political parties. We will treat all requests fairly. Nigerians will be fully briefed of the actions taken by the Commission every step of the way,” he said.

The opposition coalition, despite pushing the ADA registration, is also weighing other platforms, with El-Rufai describing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a viable option due to its history and sentimental appeal.