Group knocks INEC over ‘backdoor’ registration of NDC

Promoters of a Political Association, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) have condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the registration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

…says NDC did not participate in screening process

ADA has said the NDC emerged through a fraudulent and opaque process outside the guidelines set by the INEC for the registration of new political parties in the Country.

The Political Association was one of 171 groups that sought registration as political parties ahead of the 2027 General elections.

Umar Ardo, leading promoter of ADA, made the allegations while speaking on separate television appearances on Arise News Morning Show and Trust TV.

Ardo said INEC compromised its own procedures by registering a political party that, according to him, never participated in the official screening process.

He revealed that no fewer than 171 Political Associations initially submitted expressions of interest for registration, out of which only 14 were shortlisted by INEC.

According to him, those 14 groups that were shortlisted by INEC underwent further screening out of which only eight of them progressed to the commission’s verification stage.

He maintained that the ADA was among those that fully complied with all stipulated requirements and participated throughout the process, yet was denied registration.

But in contrast, he alleged that the NDC was nowhere in the process, and neither applied nor appeared at any stage of the screening process.

Ardo stated, “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 rejected the claim by INEC that the NDC was registered based on a court order, describing the explanation as untenable and suspicious while questioning the legal foundation of such an order.

Ardo argued that due judicial process would have required documented filings and INEC’s participation in the said court proceedings.

“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 the Certified True Copies of the court processes from the Federal High Court in Lokoja to understand what transpired,” he added.

Ardo likened the situation to awarding a contract to a bidder who neither applied nor participated in any stage of the bidding process, stressing that such an outcome undermined fairness, transparency, and institutional credibility.

The development has sparked anger among stakeholders who reportedly invested substantial resources in meeting INEC’s requirements, only to be excluded from registration.

Ardo also dismissed allegations linking the ADA to Peter Obi, describing the claims as mere rumours aimed at discrediting the group.

He insisted that the ADA project was independent and rooted in constitutional rights, pointing out that any Nigerian has the freedom to sponsor a political party.

On the way forward, he confirmed that the ADA has initiated legal proceedings and was prepared to pursue the matter up to the Supreme Court, if necessary.

He emphasised that while the 2027 general elections remain important, the broader objective was to establish justice and due process in Nigeria’s political system.

“We are not doing this just for 2027. We are determined to prove that we fulfilled all legal requirements and were unjustly denied registration,” he said.

The controversy has heightened the scrutiny of Nigeria’s electoral system, particularly ongoing debates centred around reforms such as the issue of compulsory electronic transmission of election results.

Political observers warn that the outcome of the dispute could significantly shape public trust in INEC and influence the future of party registration and democratic governance in the country.

Henry Seriake Dickson, NDC leader and Moses Cleopas, the National Chairman, could not be reached for comments.