By Amah
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Fresh controversy is trailing the emergence of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a registered political party, with the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) vowing to challenge what it describes as a flawed and politically influenced process that led to the party’s recognition.
The dispute, now shaping into a significant legal and political confrontation, comes amid growing attention on the NDC following the reported defection of former presidential contender Peter Obi and other high-profile politicians, raising questions in some quarters about whether turbulence is once again following the former Anambra governor into a new political platform.
In October 2025, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cleared eight political associations, including ADA, for the preliminary phase of party registration after they successfully submitted required documentation via its official portal.
However, by February 2026, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (represented in the report as Joash Amupitan), disclosed that only two of the eight associations progressed to the final stage of verification in line with constitutional and Electoral Act requirements.
In a surprising development, the NDC, an association that was not part of the pre-qualified list, was approved for registration, following a court order issued by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025.
INEC stated it had no option but to comply with the ruling, announcing that certificates of registration would be issued accordingly.
Reacting strongly, Umar Ardo, a founding leader of ADA, has challenged the legitimacy of the process, insisting that the NDC neither applied through the official channel nor met the statutory requirements for registration.
Speaking in multiple interviews, Ardo alleged that INEC deviated from its established procedures, questioning why a political association that did not participate in the screening process could secure registration through judicial intervention.
He further claimed that while ADA complied fully with regulatory demands, including reportedly spending nearly ₦200 million to establish nationwide structures, its application has remained stalled for months without resolution.
Ardo confirmed that ADA will appeal the Lokoja court ruling, describing it as compromised and unjust.
According to him, the NDC failed to present critical documents, such as a constitution, manifesto, or list of executive members during the court proceedings, requirements clearly stipulated in INEC guidelines.
He also raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest surrounding the judgment, alleging connections between the presiding judge and key figures within the NDC.
“We followed every rule. They followed none. Yet, we are being placed on the same pedestal. That is not justice,” Ardo said, adding that the appeal would challenge the ruling on grounds of procedural irregularities and perceived bias.
Beyond the legal arguments, the controversy has taken on a political dimension, particularly in light of the NDC’s growing profile, following the entry of prominent figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
For critics, the unfolding drama reinforces a recurring narrative, that instability and contention appear to shadow Obi’s political movements, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party, and now to the NDC.
While supporters dismiss such claims as politically motivated, the timing of the dispute has inevitably fueled speculation and intensified scrutiny of the new party’s foundation.
With ADA preparing to test the validity of the NDC’s registration in the appellate courts, the matter is poised to become a defining case for Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence, particularly on the limits of judicial intervention in political party formation.
At stake is not just the fate of one political party, but the credibility of the regulatory framework governing Nigeria’s democratic process.
As the legal battle unfolds, Nigerians, and the political class, will be watching closely to see whether due process prevails or whether controversy continues to define the country’s evolving political landscape.
