Nigerians Mock Atiku-Led Coalition Logo, Liken It To Tinubu’s ‘Agbado’ Symbolism
The unveiling of the proposed logo of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a new political party led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and backed by political figures including Peter Obi and Nasir el-Rufai, has triggered a wave of ridicule and criticism across Nigeria’s social media space.
The ADA, which recently applied for registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed its emblem to the public—a flag featuring a prominent image of a half-unwrapped corn (maize).
The logo, intended to symbolize agricultural abundance and grassroots empowerment, has instead drawn comparisons to President Bola Tinubu’s infamous remarks about corn, which Nigerians have derisively termed the “agbado” narrative.
According to documents seen by THE WHISTLER, the ADA’s formal application to INEC was dated June 19, 2025, and acknowledged by the Commission a day later. The application was co-signed by Chief Akin Ricketts as the Protem National Chairman and Abdullahi Elayo as the Protem National Secretary respectively.
“We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), as a political party,” the letter read.
“This is sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.”
The ADA’s slogan is Justice for All, and the party claims its ideology is rooted in democratic inclusion, transparency, and economic restructuring.
“We have further attached our manifesto, encapsulating details of our party ideology, and our constitution… in alignment with Sections 40 and 222 of the Constitution, Section 75 of the Electoral Act (2022) and global democratic principles,” the letter stated.
However, rather than sparking excitement, the party’s logo quickly became the subject of online mockery. The depiction of maize—a staple often referenced in President Tinubu’s speeches—reminded Nigerians of controversial statements he made in 2021 and 2022.
At the 12th Colloquium in his honour in Kano in 2021, Tinubu had said, “Recruit 50 million youths into the army. What they will eat—cassava, corn, yam—will grow here.”
Then, during a campaign stop in Ebonyi State in 2022, he joked, “They could not even make a down payment for a roasted corn.”
Those statements earned the now-president the nickname ‘Agbado General’ among online satirists.
“This ADA logo looks like an agbado campaign remix,” tweeted user Deji. “Did they run out of symbols or is this just a tribute to Tinubu’s corn dynasty?”
Another user, Chioma Codes, wrote, “First the broom, now corn? When will Nigerian politicians start symbolizing ideas instead of food?”
Some took a more critical tone, accusing the coalition of lacking creativity and foresight. “You want to present a real alternative and your logo is half-unwrapped corn? You’re already echoing the worst of APC branding,” tweeted an activist simply identified as Ahmed.
Others, however, defended the symbolism. “Corn feeds millions. It’s a grassroots crop. Maybe that’s what they’re aiming at,” argued Dr. Angela Onuoha, a political science lecturer. “But optics matter. In politics, perception can override intention.”
The backlash presents an early test for the ADA, a coalition that is still in its formative stages. While it brings together significant political forces, including candidates from across the ideological spectrum, critics fear the coalition may struggle to craft a unified narrative.
“Symbolism is power,” said Ikenna Ugochukwu, a Lagos-based PR consultant, in a social media post. “A logo should tell a story of hope and difference. But if your story looks like a sequel to a failed script, voters might not take you seriously.”
INEC has not officially responded to the registration application whether it will accept it especially when the new party spelt the commission’s name wrongly.
According to Section 75 of the Electoral Act, the Commission has 30 days to notify applicants of its decision.
Meanwhile, ADA officials remain optimistic. An official close to Ricketts, posting to social media argued, “We are proud of our logo and what it represents—sustenance, productivity, and democratic nourishment. Nigerians will come to understand that it is not just a symbol of food, but of empowerment.”
But online, the verdict appears far less forgiving. With memes circulating that show Atiku holding roasted corn and others replacing the ADA acronym with ‘Agbado Democratic Alliance’, it’s clear the coalition has an uphill battle—not just in elections, but in public imagination.
THE WHISTLER reports that El-Rufai had defected from the APC after failing to clinch a ministerial position in the Tinubu administration, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). SDP received immediate attention as many APC, PDP and other members of fringe political parties defected to join.
It soon emerged it was unsuitable and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was touted as the party to be adopted by the coalition.
But with less than one year to party primaries, it appears ADA is it if it’s registered by the INEC
Nigerians Mock Atiku-Led Coalition Logo, Liken It To Tinubu’s ‘Agbado’ Symbolism is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
