Fresh litigation troubles emerge in the Nigeria Democratic Congress as The All Democratic Alliance (ADA) plans to appeal the ruling of the federal high court in Lokoja that mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Umar Ardo, one of the party’s founding leaders, ADA was one of the eight pre-qualified associations that INEC approved for party registrations in October 2025 after uploading the necessary data and supporting materials to the commission’s website.
Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa posted via YouTube on Monday as cited by ENigeria Newspaper, the ADA chairman declared that the party would appeal the Lokoja decision, claiming that “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”, he added.
“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.
“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”, he added.
NDC Party registration
On February 5, 2026, INEC chairman Joash Amupitan stated that “just two” of the eight “qualified for final examination and verification of proper compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act.”
The NDC was registered by INEC even though it was not a member of the pre-qualified associations. Amupitan claims that the action complied with the federal high court’s ruling 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,” the INEC Chairman had 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.”
What does this mean for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso?
Peter Obi, following his defection to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, alongside his aspiring vice, Rabiu Kwankwaso, pleaded with members of the party to avoid cases of litigations ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing the need to focus on the elections instead.
However, recent comments by the chairman of ADA cast a doubt on the elasticity of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
