INEC Party Registration: Ardo Knocks Commission, Questions Basis for NDC Approval

 

Promoter of the All-Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr. Umar Ardo, has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its party registration process, alleging inconsistencies and raising concerns about the commission’s decision to deny his association registration while approving others.

Ardo, who spoke on Arise News on Friday, said ADA met all stipulated legal and administrative requirements during the screening stages but was ultimately denied registration — a decision he said is now being challenged in court.

“Our party, the All-Democratic Alliance, has not been registered. We have gone to court on the matter, so I will not want to discuss the facts extensively because it is sub judice,” he said.

He explained that INEC had, on September 15, 2025, shortlisted 14 political associations from 171 applications after evaluating them based on constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, and its guidelines. According to him, ADA was among the associations that met the requirements at that stage.

Ardo noted that shortlisted associations were directed to proceed to the next phase by paying a non-refundable administrative fee of N2 million and completing the formal application through INEC’s portal. He said eight associations, including ADA, complied.

“And the next stage was to pay the N2 million administrative fee and proceed with the real application on INEC’s portal. Eight associations paid out of the 14 shortlisted, and ADA was among them,” he stated.

He further disclosed that INEC officials later conducted physical verification of the party’s offices and documents nationwide on December 8 to assess operational readiness and compliance.

“At the end of the exercise, INEC turned around to say we did not meet the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act, and the guidelines — the same requirements they earlier confirmed we met,” Ardo said.

While saying he had no objection to the registration of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), which he said participated fully in the verification process, Ardo expressed strong reservations over the registration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), reportedly approved on the strength of a court order.

INEC had announced the registration of DLA and NDC at its quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja, bringing the total number of registered parties to 21. The commission said DLA emerged from the pool of 171 applicants, while NDC was registered in compliance with a court directive.

Reacting, Ardo questioned the legitimacy of NDC’s inclusion, insisting the association did not take part in any stage of the registration process.

“The problem is with the National Democratic Congress. INEC said it was registered based on a court order. But this association did not participate in the process. It did not apply, it was not shortlisted among the 14, nor among the eight that paid and completed the process,” he said.

“It is surprising that an association that was completely absent from the procedure suddenly gets registered as if conjured out of nowhere, with INEC citing a court order.”

He maintained that although INEC is bound to obey court rulings, there are legitimate concerns about what transpired in court and the representations made before the order was granted.

“If they submitted anything in court, INEC must have been served and must have defended the matter. As far as we are concerned, the explanation given raises serious questions,” Ardo added.