…Says registering a new party strategically superior to fusing into an existing one
Political analyst and opposition strategist, Dr. Umar Arɗo, has urged leaders of Nigeria’s opposition coalition to abandon plans to merge into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and instead proceed with registering a new party, the African Democratic Alliance (ADA), ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an open letter published yesterday, Arɗo argued that fusing into an existing party like the ADC offers no strategic advantage, describing it as a “repackaged relic” burdened by past failures and credibility issues. According to him, only a fresh platform like the ADA can attract disillusioned voters, especially the youth, and provide a clean slate for building a credible national movement.
He dismissed concerns about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) willingness to approve the new party, saying that if the commission is truly compromised, it could equally undermine any opposition effort, including one under the ADC banner.
Highlighting recent examples such as Emmanuel Macron’s ‘En-Marche’ in France and Senegal’s PASTEF, Ardo stressed that new political platforms have successfully channelled public hunger for change. He cited ADA’s recent filing with INEC, which he claimed garnered over 8.9 million positive engagements within three days – more than the votes that elected Nigeria’s current president.
Arɗo warned that merging into the ADC could entrench old hierarchies, cause factional splits, and dampen the morale of potential supporters seeking genuine renewal. He maintained that registering the ADA would allow the coalition to define its identity, craft an inclusive constitution, and project a compelling message of generational change.
Concluding his appeal, Arɗo called on coalition leaders to choose “a principled, forward-looking strategy” over what he described as the “illusion of quick comfort.” He urged unity and full legal compliance to secure the new party’s registration and build unstoppable momentum towards 2027.
