Umar Ardo, one of the founding leaders of All Democratic Alliance (ADA), says the association would appeal the judgment of the federal high court sitting in Lokoja, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
ADA was one of the eight pre-qualified associations cleared
by INEC in October 2025 for party registrations having uploaded all required
information and documentation on the commission’s website.
However, on February 5, 2026, Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman,
said “only two” out of the eight “qualified for final assessment and
verification of due compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act”.
Despite not being part of the pre-qualified associations,
the NDC was also registered by INEC.
According to Amupitan, the move followed the order of the
federal high court in Lokoja.
“The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi state, in
suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v.
INEC ordered the commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a
political party,” he said.
“The commission has decided to comply with the order, and it
is being registered as a political party. Certificate of registration will be
handed over to the two new political parties in due course.”
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV in April, Ardo
alleged that INEC deviated from its procedures in the registration of NDC.
He claimed that NDC was never part of the 2025 screening
process, asking INEC to explain why it register the party through a court order
when it not apply for official registration.
‘IT WAS POLITICALLY INFLUENCED’
In a separate interview with DCL Hausa posted via YouTube on
Monday, the ADA chieftain said the party would file an appeal against the
Lokoja ruling, alleging “it was politically influenced”.
“We are filing an appeal. During the proceedings in Lokoja,
the NDC failed to present any supporting evidence they did not submit their
Constitution, the Electoral Act, or any documentation compliant with INEC
guidelines. Despite this total lack of evidence, the judge issued a directive
for their registration,” he said.
“While the judge and I share the same hometown of Jada in
Adamawa State, He resided there while the current NDC leader served as
Governor. He was subsequently transferred to Lokoja, where the NDC followed him
to file this case. We believe this connection influenced the judgment.”
Ardo noted that the association will be appealing the
judgement “on the ground of interests”.
“We have met every legal requirement and have spent nearly
N200 million establishing offices in every state, yet our case has languished
for five months without a ruling. In contrast, the NDC’s case was resolved in
just 32 days,” he said.
“The NDC never submitted a formal application, was not
shortlisted, and failed to join the INEC registration portal. Furthermore, they
did not submit the required legal documents mandated by INEC guidelines, such
as a constitution, a manifesto, or a list of executive members.
“Despite failing to meet any of these requirements or even
applying, they claim the court ordered their registration. We cannot accept
this; it is completely unjust that those of us who followed every rule and met
every requirement are treated the same as those who did nothing. This level of
corruption is unacceptable.”
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