ADA registration: Northern groups rebuke El-Rufai, Amaechi comment on INEC

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) have called for a transparent and fair process in the registration of new political parties in Nigeria. They urged all parties, including newcomers, to strictly adhere to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines and approach the registration process with due seriousness.

The call comes amid recent allegations by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who claimed that INEC is deliberately frustrating the registration of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

In a statement, AYCF President General Yerima Shettima clarified that such accusations against INEC are unfounded and indicate a misunderstanding of Nigeria’s electoral framework. He emphasized that INEC’s standard requirements—such as submitting office addresses and identifying party officers—are designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability, and all parties must comply to uphold democratic integrity.

Shettima expressed disappointment that Amaechi and El-Rufai have resorted to sensational claims rather than addressing the real issues. He noted that ADA’s difficulties in meeting INEC’s criteria reflect the need for better preparation, not bias or conspiracy.

AYCF also pointed out that the urgency behind ADA’s formation appears driven by desperation amid shifting political dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections. The group affirmed every group’s right to seek political representation but stressed that legitimacy depends on compliance with INEC’s legal framework.

Similarly, NAN Chairman Salihu Suleiman criticized calls for INEC to lower its standards to accommodate ADA, warning that such demands undermine Nigeria’s democratic principles. He condemned El-Rufai’s skepticism about INEC’s willingness to register ADA as part of a harmful trend of casting doubt on the electoral process, which risks disenfranchising citizens.

Suleiman urged political leaders to foster trust and cooperation with electoral bodies rather than promoting narratives of mistrust. He called on all actors, including Amaechi and El-Rufai, to exercise restraint in public comments and work within established frameworks to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.