By Peace Udugba
The controversy surrounding the registration of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has deepened, as promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr. Umar Ardo, strongly criticised the process, describing it as “a judicial murder” and a distortion of established electoral procedures.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Ardo argued that both the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to uphold constitutional and procedural requirements in granting recognition to the party.
He maintained that the issue goes beyond administrative lapses, framing it as a systemic breach capable of undermining the integrity of political party registration in Nigeria.
Ardo explained that political party formation follows a clearly defined legal process, beginning with a formal letter of intent submitted to INEC. According to him, this stage only signals interest and does not confer legal status.
He noted that after submission, INEC is expected to acknowledge receipt and conduct a review within a specified timeframe to ensure that the proposed party’s name, acronym, and logo do not conflict with existing entities. Only after passing this stage can an association proceed to formal registration.
Describing the next phase as rigorous, Ardo said it involves payment of administrative fees, submission of detailed documentation, and compliance with over two dozen requirements, including a constitution, manifesto, national executive list across multiple states, and proof of a national headquarters in Abuja.
However, he alleged that the NDC failed to complete these steps.
“From available facts, they only submitted a letter of intent and did not proceed further. There was no evidence of payment, no document uploads, and no compliance with the EC15A portal requirements,” he said.
Ardo further claimed that INEC had initially raised concerns about the party’s logo, which reportedly conflicted with that of another political association. Instead of resolving the issue administratively, he alleged, the matter was escalated to court prematurely.
He also faulted the Federal High Court in Lokoja for entertaining the case, arguing that it was filed outside the legally permitted timeframe.
“The law provides 14 days to approach the court after a refusal. In this case, nearly two months passed. That alone should have invalidated the suit,” he said.
Ardo questioned the speed of the court’s ruling, noting that judgment was delivered in less than 33 days despite the complexity of electoral disputes. He contrasted this with other cases that have lingered for months without resolution.
Additionally, he accused INEC of publishing names of party officials not contained in any court order, describing the action as a “serious misrepresentation.”
While acknowledging that INEC is bound to obey court rulings, Ardo insisted the commission had the option of appealing the decision instead of implementing it outright.
He also raised concerns about jurisdiction, questioning why the case was filed in Lokoja rather than Abuja, where INEC’s headquarters is located.
On broader implications, Ardo warned that bypassing due process could erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“If this stands, it sets a dangerous precedent where compliance can be claimed without meeting legal requirements,” he said.
He confirmed that he is consulting senior lawyers and exploring possible legal options, including an appeal.
Ardo concluded that his stance is driven by a desire to protect democratic principles rather than political rivalry.
“This is about safeguarding the system. If due process is ignored, the credibility of our institutions is at risk,” he added.
