One of the founding leaders of All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo on Monday said the association would appeal the judgment of the federal high court sitting in Lokoja which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
ADA was one of the eight pre-qualified associations cleared by INEC in October 2025 for party registrations having uploaded all required information and documentation on the commission’s website.
However, on February 5, 2026, Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, said “only two” out of the eight “qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act”.
Despite not being part of the pre-qualified associations, the NDC was also registered by INEC.
According to Amupitan, the move followed the order of the federal high court in Lokoja.
“The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi state, in suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC ordered the commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party,” he said.
“The commission has decided to comply with the order, and it is being registered as a political party. Certificate of registration will be handed over to the two new political parties in due course.”
In a separate interview with DCL Hausa posted via YouTube on Monday, the ADA chieftain said the party would file an appeal against the Lokoja ruling, alleging “it was politically influenced”.
“We are filing an appeal. During the proceedings in Lokoja, the NDC failed to present any supporting evidence they did not submit their Constitution, the Electoral Act, or any documentation compliant with INEC guidelines. Despite this total lack of evidence, the judge issued a directive for their registration,” he said.
“While the judge and I share the same hometown of Jada in Adamawa State, He resided there while the current NDC leader served as Governor. He was subsequently transferred to Lokoja, where the NDC followed him to file this case. We believe this connection influenced the judgment.”
According to Ardo, the association will be appealing the judgement “on the ground of interests”.
“We have met every legal requirement and have spent nearly N200 million establishing offices in every state, yet our case has languished for five months without a ruling. In contrast, the NDC’s case was resolved in just 32 days,” he said.
“The NDC never submitted a formal application, was not shortlisted, and failed to join the INEC registration portal. Furthermore, they did not submit the required legal documents mandated by INEC guidelines, such as a constitution, a manifesto, or a list of executive members.
“Despite failing to meet any of these requirements or even applying, they claim the court ordered their registration. We cannot accept this; it is completely unjust that those of us who followed every rule and met every requirement are treated the same as those who did nothing. This level of corruption is unacceptable.”
Dickson defends registration of NDC
Meanwhile, the he National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has responded to Umar-Ardo’s allegations, describing them as “misguided and sponsored propaganda.”
Reacting in a statement issued via his official X handle on Monday, Dickson expressed disappointment in Ardo, whom he described as a long-time friend and political ally.
He accused him of persistently attacking the NDC despite being aware of the facts surrounding its formation and registration.
The senator clarified that the NDC’s registration process began in 2017, long before Ardo initiated efforts to form a political party.
He explained that the process was stalled when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under its chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, suspended the registration of new political parties.
According to Dickson, the process resumed last year after INEC lifted the embargo, and the NDC was listed among 171 political associations awaiting further screening.
However, the application was later declined on the grounds that the party’s proposed logo—a two-finger sign—resembled that of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He described the decision as unjust, noting that the party challenged INEC’s position and even offered to change the logo but was denied the opportunity.
This development, he said, prompted the NDC to seek legal redress.
Dickson stated that the court ruled in favour of the party, affirming its right to freedom of association and ordering INEC to register it.
He added that INEC complied with the judgment by officially registering the NDC and issuing its certificate of registration.
He further emphasized that INEC did not appeal the ruling within the stipulated period, making the judgment final and binding.
According to him, no other individual or group has the legal standing to challenge the decision.
The senator also disclosed that INEC monitored the party’s first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting after the mandatory 21-day notice was given, during which party officials were confirmed and timelines for congresses and primaries were set.
Addressing Ardo’s concerns, Dickson said he had previously advised him to pursue legal action regarding his own party registration challenges.
He added that internal disputes among promoters of Ardo’s political group were unrelated to the NDC and should not be attributed to the party.
He noted that the NDC is not the only party registered through a court order, citing similar instances in which other political groups secured registration through the judiciary without opposition from INEC.
Cover Pix: Umar-Ardo
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