ADA: Registering New Party Superior to Fusing into Existing One, Says Secretary

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Secretary of the National Coalition for Opposition Group (NCOG) Dr. Umar Ardo, has insisted that registering a new political party is strategically superior to fusing into an existing one.

He stated that with a decision date now set between fusing into an existing party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), or adopting to proceed with the registration of a new one, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), he was in favour of the latter.

”With all due humility, I dare say both approaches are mutually exclusive; they cannot be pursued together as people cannot be in two political parties at the same time!

”Opting to decamp into the ADC, or any minor existing party, is in my view a wrong strategic move. Its proponents have not articulated any convincing electoral advantage beyond the platform itself. Rather, they rely on vague rhetoric about a new political era, without addressing the actual political terrain and electoral calculus of 2027,” Ardo stressed.

Giving further reasons why the coalition should champion a new party than fusing into an existing party, Ardo, said in contrast, advocates of registering the ADA have grounded their case in logic, strategy, voter psychology and institutional renewal.

He stated that arguments submitted in their formal reports, presented in coalition meetings and consistently articulated in the public domain support this view.
”The ADC carries institutional baggage and credibility issues. Its underwhelming history – highlighted by its misadventures in the 2019 and 2023 election cycles underscores its limited appeal. Fusing into such a party imports its weaknesses and dangers, not strengths nor certainties. New faces cannot erase its political liabilities.

”Forming a new party like ADA offers a clean slate to shape a credible, compelling identity, untainted by legacy failures. It enables the coalition to define its values, vision and leadership on its own terms. In politics, perception is power – Nigerians are more likely to embrace a fresh beginning than a rebranded relic.
“As per the account of the proponents of fusing, the only reason they don’t want to go the new party route is that the Electoral Commission is believed to be compromised and so would not register the desired party.

“ If that is the only reason, and assuming it is correct, then how can fusing into an existing party save them from the axe of the commission seeing that it is the same commission that will conduct the general elections they will be contesting, assuming it allows them to reach the general elections stage. For me, therefore, this is no argument at all”, Ardo stated.

On the other hand, he said creating a new platform carries the novelty of psychological and symbolic power, especially among youths.

“We have seen this as a proven political asset. From Macron’s En Marche in France, to Buhari’s APC in Nigeria to Faye’s PASTEF in Senegal, new platforms have sparked real change. The Nigerian youths, disillusioned by older structures, will seek a movement they can believe in.

”That over 8.92 million Nigerians engaged positively with ADA’s INEC filing in less than 72 hours – more than the votes that elected the current president – reveals public appetite for something new.

“ Reversing course now to embrace a recycled platform risks demoralizing the electorate and losing momentum. Remember, don’t count on bad governance as automatically translating into opposition victory. It doesn’t, as 2019 showed”, he added.

The secretary of NOCG explained that a new party allows all partners to co-author the constitution, co-own the structure and shape the manifesto – ensuring legitimacy, coherence and collective identity.

He said: ”Electoral victory demands more than mergers; it requires strategic repositioning. ADA can mount a fresh, targeted national rollout appealing to disillusioned and angry voters.

“ ADC, on the other hand, remains hamstrung by past failures, weak branding and limited reach. Believing that recycled actors can achieve different results through the same vehicle is possible but not likely.”