By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The All Democratic Alliance (ADA) has announced plans to appeal a federal high court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), intensifying controversy over the emergence of new political parties ahead of future elections.
Umar Ardo, a founding leader of ADA, said the association is dissatisfied with the judgment delivered in Lokoja, alleging that the process leading to the NDC’s registration was flawed and possibly influenced by political considerations.
INEC had earlier confirmed that only two out of eight associations cleared in October 2025 advanced to the final verification stage of party registration.
However, the commission proceeded to register the NDC following a court आदेश, stating it was complying with a directive issued in suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025.
Challenging the development, Ardo argued that the NDC neither participated in the official screening exercise nor fulfilled statutory requirements expected of political associations seeking registration.
“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.
He further alleged possible bias in the ruling, citing perceived personal and geographical links between the presiding judge and key figures associated with the NDC.
“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,” Ardo added.
The ADA leader maintained that his group met all regulatory requirements, including establishing offices nationwide and investing significant financial resources, yet has waited months without a ruling on its own application.
“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.
Ardo insisted that allowing the NDC’s registration to stand without due process undermines fairness in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“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.”
The dispute highlights growing tensions around party registration processes in Nigeria, particularly as new political movements seek recognition amid shifting alliances and emerging coalitions.
Analysts say the appeal could test the limits of judicial authority over electoral matters and may prompt stricter scrutiny of INEC’s compliance with its own guidelines.
If the appellate court overturns the Lokoja ruling, it could invalidate the NDC’s status and trigger broader legal uncertainty for other emerging parties. Conversely, if upheld, the judgment may set a precedent for court-backed registrations, potentially opening the door for more political groups to bypass administrative procedures through litigation.
