Ambassador Dr. Umar Ardo, who champions the African Democratic Alliance (ADA), has criticized what he terms the inconsistent actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the registration of his party. He asserts that ADA will persist in its efforts despite ongoing legal battles.
In a recent interview with ARISE NEWS, Dr. Ardo accused INEC of acting inconsistently, metaphorically stating that the commission "vomited and then swallowed back the vomit" after it had initially pre-qualified ADA for registration but later retracted its decision on technical grounds.
Dr. Ardo expressed cautious optimism about their court case, stating, "While I cannot guarantee a favorable ruling, we believe that we have fulfilled all legal requirements for registration."
He went on to provide a timeline of events, mentioning that on September 11 of the previous year, INEC had initially pre-qualified ADA among 14 political associations from a pool of 171 applications to advance to formal registration.
He highlighted that INEC had clearly stated in its press announcement that these 14 political associations had complied with necessary constitutional provisions and electoral regulations, thus recommending that they proceed to the next stage of the registration process.
However, on October 18, in a surprising turn, INEC changed its decision, asserting that ADA did not meet the legal criteria for registration.
Dr. Ardo noted, "Initially, they confirmed our qualifications and compliance, saying we would advance to the next level. Therefore, if they now claim we do not meet the legal requirements, that contradicts their earlier assurances. This inconsistency is concerning."
He criticized INEC for failing to provide clarity on the discrepancies between their documentation and what was previously submitted, reiterating that the commission's actions are deeply flawed.
Furthermore, he took issue with the registration process surrounding the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming they had not participated in the same registration process yet were permitted to register through the courts.
Dr. Ardo expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the electoral framework, questioning how elections can be conducted effectively without clear rules or guidelines.
On the dynamics between ADA and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), he pointed out that while some ADA members were encouraged to join ADC, he advocates for adherence to ADA's founding principles.
He clarified, "The original plan was to unite two opposition parties as we merged into ADC. Those devoted to registering a political party decided to progress with ADA."
When asked if he identifies with ADC, Dr. Ardo countered firmly, asserting, "No, I have never been a member. I was part of SDP but left, along with others who came together to establish ADA."
He dismissed claims that ADA’s persistence is driven by political motivations related to President Bola Tinubu or the forthcoming 2027 elections, emphasizing that their struggle for registration is principled and constructive.
Dr. Ardo remarked, "Had ADA been registered in December as scheduled, the political landscape would have shifted significantly, potentially affecting President Tinubu's position."
He elaborated, "My involvement is based on ideology and conviction, not to serve President Tinubu; I do not even know him personally."
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Dr. Ardo underlined ADA's significance as a fallback in case ADC encounters challenges.
"If ADA remains unregistered beyond a certain point, ADC becomes the alternative. But, what assurance do we have that ADC won't face difficulties? If any setbacks occur with ADC, it could facilitate another smooth term for President Tinubu, which would be detrimental for Nigeria."
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