One of the promoters of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr Umar Ardo, has raised fresh concerns over alleged irregularities in the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), vowing to challenge the process in court.
ADA is one of the 171 political associations that applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration as political parties.
However, in February 2026, INEC disclosed that it registered only two as political parties.
During the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja in February, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed that the Democratic LEADERSHIP Alliance (DLA) was registered as the only association out of the 171 associations seeking registration as political parties, and that the NDC was registered in obedience to a court order.
Bandits kill 11 in Katsina reprisal attack 2027: Calculations shift as Obi, Kwankwaso join NDC He said the associations were assessed in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
However, during an appearance on Trust TV, Ardo accused INEC of deviating from its procedures by registering a political party he said did not undergo the official screening process.
But in a statement, the NDC, through its National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, described Ardo’s claim as mischievous and misleading.
Daily Trust reported that Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, formally joined the NDC after dumping the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The two politicians were officially registered as members of the party on Sunday at its national secretariat in Abuja, where they were issued membership cards.
In a recent interview with DCL Hausa, Ardo insisted that the registration of the NDC was marred with irregularities, vowing to escalate the situation to court.
“The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) obtained registration without properly applying. It did not meet the requirements set by the law, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or INEC guidelines. It is clearly irregular. If any other party failed to meet the requirements but was registered, I will challenge it in court.
“As for ADA, we formally applied for registration with INEC. We met all the stipulated requirements and paid the necessary fees. On 10 September 2025, INEC wrote to us confirming that we had met the conditions and qualified for the next stage, which involved presenting our executives, their credentials, and other supporting documents for verification before final registration. We have done everything. However, we were suddenly denied registration, along with 13 other groups. We immediately went to court.
“In February 2026, INEC announced that it had registered two parties. One, they said, was registered independently by the commission, while the other was registered following a court order. We have no issue with their independent decision. But regarding the party they claimed was registered by court order, the NDC, it is troubling.
“Apart from submitting a letter of intent, the NDC did not file a formal application, was not shortlisted, did not use the INEC registration portal, and did not submit key documents such as its constitution, manifesto, or executive membership list as required by law and guidelines. Yet, the court ordered its registration. We cannot accept that,” he said.
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