Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to approve the registration of the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA), stating that its emergence would ultimately strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s prospects for a second term in 2027.
Okechukwu made the comments on Sunday during an interaction with journalists, following confirmation that the National Opposition Coalition Group had formally applied to INEC for ADA’s registration.
The coalition, reportedly backed by opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, submitted its request via a letter dated June 19, signed by Chief Akin A. Rickets (Protem National Chairman) and Abdullahi Elayo (Protem National Secretary).
Describing the move as “a welcome development,” Okechukwu — a former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) — said the multi-party system remains vital for Nigeria’s democracy.
He expressed confidence that ADA’s emergence would not threaten APC’s hold on power but rather “enhance” Tinubu’s chances in 2027.
“My take on the formation of the All Democratic Alliance is that it is welcome. I am an apostle of multiparty democracy — let all the flowers bloom. ADA’s registration will actually help President Tinubu,” he stated.
He argued that ADA’s assumed political strategy relies on outdated assumptions about northern voting patterns.
“They seem to think the northern electorate are kept in dormitories, waiting to be herded to vote for a northern presidential candidate. That’s a false and outdated premise,” Okechukwu said, adding that northern voters are among the most sophisticated in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Responding to criticism of Tinubu’s administration from opposition quarters, Okechukwu dismissed allegations of widespread northern discontent, stating that the president’s ongoing infrastructure drive and decentralization reforms — including financial autonomy for local governments — are already yielding visible benefits across the country.
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He also responded to the argument floated by ADA supporters that power should return to the North in 2027 on the basis of regional balance. Okechukwu dismissed the claim as historically inaccurate.
“Some claim that by 2027, the South would have ruled for 17 years compared to the North’s 11. That’s a biased narrative. Since 1960, the North has presided over Nigeria longer than the South. This was precisely why the rotation principle was adopted in 1999.”
On the possibility of ADA presenting a southern presidential candidate to counterbalance Tinubu, Okechukwu was skeptical, suggesting that the party’s leadership may struggle to unite the fragmented opposition landscape.
“Even if they float a southern candidate, their hunger for power might blind them to the realities of coalition-building, especially with PDP, APGA, NNPP, and Labour Party members all jostling for relevance.”
Okechukwu maintained that INEC should proceed with ADA’s registration in accordance with the law, citing a Supreme Court ruling from the APC’s opposition days as precedent for allowing new parties a chance to participate in the democratic process.
INEC has yet to respond to the ADA application.