INEC Insists on Strict Adherence to Party Registration Guidelines, Says ADA Not Yet Eligible

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a proposed political party backed by prominent opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, has not met the necessary requirements for registration. 

INEC's National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, emphasized that receiving a letter of intent is not the same as submitting a formal application, and that all parties must strictly comply with the procedures outlined in the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC's internal guidelines.

INEC has received several letters of intent from various groups seeking registration, but none have progressed to the formal application stage.

“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.

However, Olumekun, in reaction to the move by the coalition leaders said all necessary prerequisites must be met before the application for a party registration is submitted.

He said all procedures outlined in the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC’s internal guidelines must be strictly complied with for the process to pull through.