The All Democratic Alliance (ADA) promoter, Umar Ardo, has disclosed that he warned former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso against joining the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), citing unresolved legal issues surrounding the party. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Ardo emphasized that his opposition to the NDC’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began immediately after the announcement on February 6, long before Obi and Kwankwaso showed interest in the party.
Ardo stated that his stance was not influenced by either politician but rooted in concerns over irregularities in the NDC’s registration process. He explained that he publicly opposed the party’s registration just a day after INEC’s announcement, asserting that the matter was about national integrity and electoral fairness, not personal politics. He stressed that his warnings were not directed at Obi or Kwankwaso personally, but aimed at preventing what he described as a “national fraud” on the Nigerian electorate.
In an effort to dissuade Obi, Ardo reached out to close associates of the former presidential candidate, urging them to convey his concerns. He noted that he did not have direct access to Obi but made sure his message was delivered through trusted intermediaries. Ardo advised Obi and his team to consider alternative political platforms, warning that the NDC’s legal challenges could jeopardize any political ambitions tied to the party.
Similarly, Ardo revealed that he personally met with Dr Kwankwaso and also called him a day or two before the former governor’s reported move to the NDC. During these interactions, he outlined the legal and procedural problems facing the party, hoping to dissuade him from joining. Despite these efforts, both Obi and Kwankwaso proceeded with their involvement in the NDC, according to Ardo.
He maintained that their entry into the party had not altered the fundamental issues surrounding its registration. “The fact that they entered doesn’t mean that it has changed the situation,” Ardo said. “The situation is as bad as it has always been.” He reiterated that his only motive was to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, urging citizens not to support a party that emerged through questionable means.
As the political landscape continues to evolve ahead of future elections, Ardo’s warnings highlight growing scrutiny over party registrations and the importance of transparency in Nigeria’s democracy. The ongoing legal challenges to the NDC’s legitimacy may influence voter confidence and party dynamics in the coming months.
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