Festus Keyamo Mocks New Political Party, Says ADA Is No Coalition
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has downplayed the emergence of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), describing the newly proposed political platform as an overhyped and unimpressive attempt at relevance.
In a post on his official X handle on Friday, Keyamo dismissed the idea that ADA represents a true coalition or political merger, stating that it is merely a group of individuals exercising their constitutional right to form a party — not a seismic alliance akin to what led to the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
His comment comes in reaction to a move by the Nigerian National Coalition Group (NNCG) to register the ADA as a political party ahead of the 2027 elections. The coalition, reportedly backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai, submitted an application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on June 19. The application was co-signed by ADA’s National Chairman, Akin Ricketts, and pro tem National Secretary, Abdullahi Musa Elayo.
Keyamo, however, said the effort lacks the legitimacy or impact to be considered a genuine coalition.
“This is just a simple application for party registration. There is nothing like a ‘coalition’ here,” he wrote.
Describing the move as “psychological warfare” and a “weak attempt at mass appeal,” the minister added, “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.”
He further stated, “No recognized existing political party is part of this. A few individuals exercising their constitutional right to form a new political party cannot be described as a ‘coalition’ or even a ‘merger.’”
Concluding his remarks, Keyamo said the development is a “disappointing anti-climax” compared to the media buzz that preceded it, insisting that many such political associations spring up regularly without making significant impact.