The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a proposed political party reportedly backed by several prominent opposition leaders, has not met the statutory requirements for registration.

Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, made the disclosure during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

“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 an application,” Olumekun said.

The clarification follows the submission of an application dated June 19, co-signed by Akin Ricketts and Abdullahi Musa Elayo, the ADA’s protem national chairman and secretary. However, the letter reportedly omitted the word “Electoral” in referring to the Commission a procedural error that has raised eyebrows about the diligence of the process.

Backed by opposition heavyweights including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and David Mark, the ADA has drawn significant attention as a potential vehicle for challenging the ruling APC in the 2027 general elections.

INEC, however, stressed that there are no shortcuts in the registration process and warned that all associations must fully comply with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and the Commission’s internal guidelines before being recognized as political parties.

Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is expected to address the matter more fully during a stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Thursday at the Commission’s headquarters. The event under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) will bring together leaders of political parties, civil society organizations, security agencies, and the media. The meeting is co-chaired by Yakubu and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.