Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has expressed strong reservations over the likelihood of Nigeria’s electoral body approving the registration of a new political outfit, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), warning that such a move could call the body’s neutrality into question.
In an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, monitored by journalists on Monday, Baba-Ahmed stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not approved any new party registrations in recent years and is unlikely to make an exception—even for one supported by powerful political figures.
“Many applications are gathering dust with INEC,” he said. “The ADA’s proposal may face the same fate unless something truly extraordinary happens.”
The proposed party is the product of months of negotiations by the Nigerian National Coalition Group (NNCG), an emerging political movement said to include influential actors such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Dr Umar Ardo. On 20 June, INEC formally acknowledged receipt of the group’s application to register the ADA under the slogan “Justice for All.”
However, Baba-Ahmed questioned the optics of INEC appearing to prioritise the ADA application over others. “If INEC approves this one and leaves the rest, it will damage its credibility. People will rightly question its impartiality,” he said.
The political alliance reportedly decided to establish ADA after losing confidence in existing parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal divisions and lack of cohesion.
While recognising the coalition’s goal of offering a level playing field for all political stakeholders, Baba-Ahmed stressed the procedural and legal complexity of forming a party that meets INEC’s requirements.
He recommended that, if INEC wishes to approve new parties, it should do so in bulk to avoid favouritism. “Registering only one high-profile party sends the wrong message. The law demands fairness,” he said.
