Dr. Umar Ardo, a leading promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the recent registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Ardo alleges that the commission bypassed statutory protocols and constitutional requirements in granting the party official recognition. 

Speaking on Trust TV, Ardo asserted that the NDC’s registration was "flawed" and failed to adhere to the due process mandated for political associations seeking to participate in the 2027 general elections.

Contested Registration Process

In February 2026, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan announced the registration of only two new parties out of 171 applicants: the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

While the DLA was registered after meeting the standard evaluation criteria, Prof. Amupitan noted that the NDC was registered specifically in compliance with a court order. The commission maintained that all assessments were conducted under:

• Sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

• Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022.

• Existing INEC Regulations and Guidelines.

Allegations of Procedural Irregularity

Dr. Ardo has rejected INEC’s justification, claiming the NDC did not undergo the mandatory screening or utilize the commission’s official registration portal.

"The Nigerian Democratic Congress obtained registration without properly applying," Ardo stated. "It did not meet the requirements set by law or INEC guidelines. It is clearly irregular, and we will challenge it in court."

Ardo further contrasted the NDC’s experience with that of the ADA, noting that his association had fully complied with all administrative requirements—including the payment of fees and submission of documentation—and had even cleared preliminary verification stages before being denied registration.

Concerns Over Judicial Consistency

The ADA promoter also raised concerns regarding the speed and nature of the judicial intervention that favored the NDC. He argued that the party failed to present the necessary statutory documents before the court, yet secured a favorable judgment.

Furthermore, Ardo highlighted a "concerning disparity" in the legal system, alleging that the ADA’s own court cases have faced significant delays while the NDC’s litigation progressed with unusual speed.

A Matter of Principle

Dismissing claims that his legal challenge is politically motivated, Ardo framed the move as a defense of electoral integrity and the rule of law.

"This is not about politics or personalities," he said, citing his history of legal activism against previous administrations. "Any party registered outside established legal frameworks undermines public confidence in the electoral system. We will proceed on appeal to ensure due process is upheld."

The ADA remains committed to pursuing justice through the appellate courts, seeking to hold both the electoral body and the judiciary accountable for what they term "inconsistencies" in the registration exercise.