A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has expressed support for the proposed registration of a new political platform, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), stating that it could inadvertently strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in 2027.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Okechukwu said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should grant approval for ADA’s registration, noting that a multi-party system is essential for Nigeria’s democracy.
“My take on the formation of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) is that it is a welcome development,” Okechukwu stated.
“One, because I am an apostle of a multi-party system, which allows all the flowers to blossom and all the voices to be heard.”
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Okechukwu, a former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), added that ADA’s emergence would not pose a threat to the APC, but rather help galvanise support for Tinubu, especially among politically astute electorates in the North.
“Methinks sincerely that the ADA, contrary to their promoters’ success mindset, will enhance our party’s victory, especially President Tinubu’s second term,” he said.
The National Opposition Coalition Group, in a letter dated 19 June and signed by Chief Akin A. Rickets and Abdullahi Elayo, formally applied to INEC for ADA’s registration.
The coalition is rumoured to have the backing of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other key opposition figures.
Okechukwu, however, downplayed the potential threat, criticising what he called a “false premise” among ADA promoters that the northern electorate could be easily swayed based on regional sentiments.
“They assume the northern electorate are quartered in dormitories and will be hauled to polling booths to vote for a would-be northern candidate. As if either they forget or deliberately ignore that the northern electorate are among the most sophisticated in our political landscape,” he said.
Responding to claims that the North is disillusioned with Tinubu’s presidency, Okechukwu pointed to major infrastructure and development projects being carried out across the country, including in northern states.
He also dismissed what he called a “fraudulent calculation” by ADA supporters that, by 2027, the South would have ruled Nigeria for 17 years and the North for only 11. He argued that such reasoning overlooks the North’s historical dominance in leadership since independence.
“That the North has presided over Nigeria more than the South was the premise on which patriotic politicians established the rotation convention in 1999 — that the presidency should rotate between North and South,” he added.
Addressing the possibility of ADA nominating a southern presidential candidate, Okechukwu expressed doubts about their ability to unite opposition parties.
“Even if they respect the rotation convention and float a southern candidate, one is afraid that their huge appetite for power will becloud their vision and broadmindedness to accommodate folks in PDP, APGA, NNPP, and Labour Party,” he said.
INEC has not yet issued a formal response regarding ADA’s application for registration
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