Nigeria's Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed the newly formed All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as "a pedestrian joke," claiming it falls short of being a genuine political coalition or merger.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, Keyamo criticized the emerging political group, which recently applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration ahead of the 2027 elections.

"This is just a simple application for party registration. There is nothing like a 'coalition' here," Keyamo stated. "It is an unnecessary hype the promoters have been struggling to create all along. It is just psychological warfare against Nigerians, a weak attempt at mass appeal."

ADA's Formation and Key Figures

BenriNews reports that opposition leaders under the Nigerian National Coalition Group (NNCG) submitted an application to INEC on Friday to register the ADA as a new political party. The coalition is reportedly backed by prominent political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

The application, dated June 19 and addressed to the INEC Chairman, was co-signed by ADA's National Chairman, Akin Ricketts, and pro tem National Secretary, Abdullahi Musa Elayo.

Failed Attempt to Recreate APC's Success

Keyamo characterized the ADA as a failed attempt to replicate the 2013 coalition that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He emphasized that no recognized existing political party is part of the new alliance.

"If they are thinking of recreating what the APC did in 2013, then this is nothing but a pedestrian joke, a complete mockery of that seismic political coalition that birthed APC in 2013," the minister remarked.

He added: "A few individuals exercising their constitutional right to form a new political party cannot be described as a 'coalition' or even a 'merger.' This is no different from several political associations springing up every day for the same purpose."

Keyamo concluded his critique by describing the ADA's emergence as "a disappointing anti-climax to all the preceding pomp and pageantry."

The formation of ADA comes as political maneuvering intensifies ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, with opposition figures seeking to create a formidable platform to challenge the ruling party.

Follow BenriNews on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | WhatsApp | Telegram