- Safiu Kehinde
Sequel to the Nigerian National Coalition Group’s (NNCG) letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), the electoral body has claimed that no group has officially tendered application for party registration.
NPO Reported that the coalition group led by former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amongst others had last week taken further steps in their coalition party formation as they submitted an application letter for the registration of the ADA party.
In reaction to the development, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, held that no formal applications have been received by INEC.
Olumekun, in an interview with The Nation, clarified that what the commission has received so far are letters of intent which is different from a formal application for party registration.
According to him, the letter of intent submission is the first stage of party registration.
He however noted that groups wishing to be registered as political parties must first meet the criteria for registration before submitting a formal application for registration.
“The truth is that we have so many letters of intent presently and none of them is an application yet.
“They must first meet the criteria before submitting a letter of intent.” Olumekun said.
Recall that Atiku, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, had advocated for party coalition in order to oust the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at the 2027 general election.
His advocacy birthed the coalition group alongside El-Rufai and other opposition politicians which include form Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President, David Mark, as well as the 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.