A former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and one of the promoters of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr Umar Ardo, has declared that the Senator Seriake Dickson-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) was registered through fraudulent means that failed to meet the guidelines for the registration of political parties.
Dr Ardo particularly noted that the NDC was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission without meeting conditions set out in the guidelines established by electoral body for the registration of political party.
Ardo, who stated these when he featured on both Arise Television and Trust Tv raised concerns over the legitimacy of the process.
He particularly criticised INEC for allegedly deviating from its procedures by registering a political party that he claimed did not go through the official screening process.
According to Ardo; “Initially, 171 political associations expressed interest in registration, but only 14 were shortlisted by INEC. On September 15, 2025, INEC published the list of 14 associations that advanced to the next stage, which involves verification of their offices nationwide.
“Of the 14 groups, only eight proceeded to the verification stage on INEC’s portal.
“ADA adhered to all requirements and actively participated in the process, but was denied registration.
“It is shocking that a political association that did not submit an application, was not shortlisted among the 14, and did not make the final eight, suddenly appeared with a registration certificate,” he stressed.
Ardo vehemently rejected INEC’s explanation that the NDC was registered on the basis of a court order, stressing that the claim was untenable.
He pointedly said that due process of law would require proper filings and INEC’s participation in court proceedings.
In Ardo’s words; “For a court to give such an order, there must have been submissions, and INEC must have been served and represented.
“We intend to obtain Certified True Copies of the court processes from the Federal High Court in Lokoja to understand what transpired,” he stated.
Ardo also alleged that the NDC was absent throughout the stages, thus expressed disbelief that a political association that did not apply, was not shortlisted, and did not make the final list, was suddenly granted a registration certificate.
He castigated INEC’s explanation that the NDC was registered pursuant to a court order, insisting that proper judicial procedures would require INEC’s participation in the court proceedings.
