Confusion as Two ‘ADA’ Emerge in INEC’s List of 110 Party Registration Applications
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing scrutiny following the appearance of two political associations bearing the same acronym, “ADA,” in its newly published list of 110 registration applications from political groups seeking recognition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two associations, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) and the Advanced Democratic Alliance (ADA), were listed consecutively as numbers 109 and 110 in the list of political associations that submitted letters of intent to INEC by the deadline of June 23, 2025.
Both groups are seeking to become fully registered political parties, but their shared acronym has raised concerns over potential legal and electoral confusion.
The All Democratic Alliance is led by Chief Akin Ricketts, a former commissioner and political strategist who has reportedly aligned with emerging opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections. His group is said to focus on governance reform and democratic development and is already building support in parts of the South-South and North-Central regions.
The Advanced Democratic Alliance, on the other hand, is spearheaded by Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman and Zipporah Pius Miracles, serving as pro-tem chairman and secretary, respectively. This version of ADA presents itself as a youth-oriented, reform-driven association with ambitions of modernizing public governance through technology and transparency.
The group has gained some traction among younger voters, especially through social media advocacy.
INEC, in its statement accompanying the release of the registration list, confirmed that 104 of the 110 applications have already been acknowledged, with the remaining six set to be processed before the end of the week.
The commission emphasized that all applications are being evaluated in line with its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Registration and applicable sections of the Electoral Act.
An INEC official familiar with the review process, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the commission is aware of the duplication and is handling the matter according to established legal procedures.
“Part of our review involves checking for duplication of names, acronyms, and logos. Where conflicts are found, parties are advised to amend or adjust their submissions to comply with the law,” the official stated.
INEC reiterated its position that all applications are treated equally and without bias, regardless of political affiliations or backgrounds of the applicants. The commission is expected to publish an updated list of successful registrations and any required name adjustments in the coming weeks.
As political momentum builds toward the 2027 elections, the growing number of groups seeking registration reflects a shifting landscape in Nigerian politics. However, INEC has maintained that party names and acronyms must remain distinct to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure clarity for the electorate.
