Dr Umar Ardo, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of “illegally” registering the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the newly adopted platform of opposition figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and a key figure in the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), made the allegation in an interview on Monday, claiming the NDC was registered without following due process.
He alleged that while his group and 13 other political associations diligently applied, paid fees and met all requirements for registration, the NDC did not even submit a formal application.
“NDC did not even submit a letter of intent, did not apply, was not shortlisted, did not enter INEC’s registration portal, and did not submit required documents such as its constitution, manifesto, executive list, or payment. They did nothing. Yet suddenly, it was said that a court ordered INEC to register them,” Ardo said.
He described the process as “outright corruption” and expressed shock at the speed with which the NDC secured registration compared to other applicants.
“Within 32 days, their case was heard and decided, while our own case has been in court for five months without hearing,” he added.
Ardo revealed that his group applied properly and received confirmation from INEC on September 11 that they had met all conditions, only to be sidelined later.
He insisted the registration violated the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.
“We fulfilled everything while others did nothing and were still registered. That is outright corruption,” Ardo stated.
The ADA leader also raised concerns over possible judicial influence, noting the judge who ordered the registration shares the same local government and secondary school background with him and had previously served in Bayelsa State when an NDC leader was governor there.
He warned politicians and Nigerians considering joining the NDC.
“Anyone who wants to join NDC should know that it did not obtain registration through due process, but through questionable means. If you are comfortable with that, you may join. But anyone who believes in justice, fairness, and integrity should avoid it,” he said.
Ardo stressed that his challenge to the NDC’s registration predates the entry of Obi and Kwankwaso into the party and is not motivated by their defection.
Obi and Kwankwaso were formally received into the NDC on Sunday after exiting the crisis-ridden African Democratic Congress (ADC).
