…As Kwankwaso Rallies Supporters into Party
By Franklin Adole
A fresh legal battle is brewing ahead of the 2027 elections as Dr. Umar Ardo, a leading promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), has vowed to challenge the registration of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while pointedly directing his grievance at the party rather than the electoral body that approved it.
Ardo insists the NDC’s recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was irregular and failed to follow due process, maintaining that the party did not meet statutory requirements before securing registration.
“The NDC did not properly apply and did not meet the requirements set by law or INEC guidelines. We will challenge this in court,” he said, adding that his suit would extend to any political association he believes was improperly registered.
However, legal observers have raised eyebrows over the approach, noting that Ardo appears to be targeting the beneficiary of the process rather than the institution responsible for it. Several analysts likened the move to “suing someone for receiving a visa instead of the embassy that issued it,” arguing that any procedural grievance should logically be directed at INEC or the courts that ordered the registration.
INEC had earlier announced that only two associations, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the NDC, were successfully registered out of 171 applicants, explaining that the NDC’s approval followed a court order. The commission said all decisions were guided by constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, and its regulatory framework.
But Ardo dismissed the explanation, alleging that the NDC bypassed the official screening process and was not properly documented under INEC’s registration system. He also questioned the court judgment that led to the party’s approval, vowing to pursue an appeal.
According to him, the ADA fully complied with all requirements, including payment of fees and submission of documentation, and had progressed to advanced stages of verification before being denied registration.
He further alleged disparities in judicial timelines, claiming that while ADA’s case has faced delays, the NDC secured a swift judgment, an outcome he described as troubling for electoral integrity.
Despite criticism of his legal strategy, Ardo maintained that his actions are driven by principle rather than politics, citing a history of challenging perceived injustices in governance.
Meanwhile, political momentum appears to be building within the NDC. Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has called on Nigerians to rally behind the party, describing it as a credible platform for advancing good governance and democratic ideals.
Kwankwaso urged citizens to seize what he termed a renewed opportunity to reshape Nigeria’s political future, insisting that the NDC represents a serious alternative capable of delivering meaningful change.