Obi, Kwankwaso’s NDC Move Under Threat as Ardo Heads to Court

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi

Obi, Kwankwaso’s NDC Move Under Threat as Ardo Heads to Court

Fresh political uncertainty is unfolding within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso confront a new challenge in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following a legal threat from Umar Ardo, promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

The development comes just days after both political heavyweights formally joined the NDC, a move widely interpreted as a strategic alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ardo has vowed to challenge the registration of the NDC in court, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of violating constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, and its own guidelines. According to him, the NDC failed to meet key requirements, including proper application through INEC’s official portal, submission of a party constitution, manifesto, and executive membership list. He alleged that the party merely submitted a letter of intent and was never formally shortlisted before securing registration, describing the process as irregular and lacking transparency.

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Ardo contrasted the NDC’s experience with that of ADA, stating that his association fulfilled all registration requirements, paid necessary fees, and received confirmation from INEC on September 10, 2025, that it had qualified for the next stage. Despite this, ADA and 13 other associations were denied registration, prompting legal action that has remained unresolved for months. He further revealed that he invested over N200 million in the process, including setting up offices nationwide, and expressed frustration that while his case has lingered in court for over five months, the NDC reportedly secured judgment within just 32 days.

Reacting, NDC founder and former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, dismissed Ardo’s allegations as politically motivated propaganda aimed at undermining the party’s rising influence. Dickson explained that the NDC’s registration process began as far back as 2017 but was stalled due to INEC’s ban on new political parties. He said the party resumed its application after the ban was lifted and was among 171 associations that applied for registration, noting that only two—NDC and the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)—were eventually approved.

Dickson maintained that the NDC was registered following a valid court judgment after it challenged its exclusion from the list of approved parties. According to him, INEC complied with the ruling and did not file an appeal within the stipulated timeframe, effectively closing the door to further legal disputes. He insisted that no individual or group has the legal standing to contest the party’s registration after a court order has been implemented, adding that other parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), have also benefited from court-backed registration without facing similar opposition.

The unfolding dispute carries significant implications for Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections. The legal uncertainty surrounding the NDC could disrupt political realignments, create internal instability, delay strategic planning, and potentially affect the ambitions of new entrants like Obi and Kwankwaso as the party navigates an early test of its legitimacy.