Party Registration: Coalition faces hurdle over name clash

Femi Fabunmi 

A potential stumbling block has emerged for a new opposition coalition seeking political party registration under the name All Democratic Alliance (ADA), as another group has applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) using the same acronym.

The coalition’s ADA is listed as number 109 on INEC’s register of pending applications, while the other group, the Advanced Democratic Alliance (ADA), appears as number 110.

Both groups are vying for recognition under acronyms that INEC regulations consider too similar — a situation that could lead to rejection of one or both names.

According to INEC guidelines, political associations with similar names, acronyms, or logos cannot be registered to avoid confusion among voters.

This unfolding scenario echoes the 2013 controversy surrounding the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), when several similarly named groups emerged in what was widely perceived as an attempt to sabotage the new party’s registration.

Despite the similarity in acronyms, the two ADA groups have different logos, addresses, and leadership structures.

The coalition’s ADA is based at the UAC Complex in Abuja, with Chief Akin A. Ricketts as chairman and Abdullahi Musa Elayo as protem secretary.

The other ADA operates from Wuse 2, Abuja, and lists Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman and Zipporah Pus Miracle as its leaders.

Umar Ardo, a convener of the coalition-backed ADA, played down the conflict, insisting that their application predates the other group’s. “No problem. We were there before them,” he said.