Remain in NDC, Dickson urges Obi, Kwankwaso, others

A Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide an access code to the leadership of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), enabling the group to proceed with its registration as a political party. This directive comes after a legal challenge brought by the association's recognized leadership, led by Chief Akin Rickett, against INEC's decision to issue the access code to Umar Ardo, who was not officially recognized as the association's protem national chairman or protem national secretary.

Justice Peter Lifu presided over the case and ruled that INEC's action was unlawful, declaring it "illegal, null and void." The court emphasized that Ardo did not possess the legal authority to represent the association during the registration process. Consequently, all actions taken by Ardo on behalf of ADA were deemed invalid. The judge instructed INEC to issue the access code to the recognized leadership within 72 hours and to reopen its registration portal for a week, allowing the association to submit the necessary documents for its registration.

The legal battle began when the All Democratic Alliance applied to INEC for registration as a political party. According to the association's counsel, Stephen Atabo, INEC initially refused to issue the access code required for the registration process. The association contended that INEC violated the law by recognizing Ardo instead of the leadership led by Chief Rickett. The plaintiff sought a declaration that all information uploaded by Ardo into INEC's registration portal was unlawful and should be set aside. Additionally, the claimant requested that INEC issue the access code to the recognized leadership, register the association as a political party, and issue a certificate of registration.

The court's decision highlights the ongoing disputes surrounding the registration of new political parties in Nigeria. The All Democratic Alliance is one of several political platforms being promoted by opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections. Earlier in the year, the coalition seeking to register ADA submitted its application to INEC with Rickett as protem national chairperson and Abdullahi Musa Elayo as protem national secretary. Ardo was among the coalition leaders supporting the proposed party but was not one of the signatories to the application.

Under INEC's registration process, an association seeking recognition as a political party is issued an access code to enable its authorized officials to log into the commission's portal and upload mandatory documents, including its constitution, manifesto, and membership register. The latest legal challenge arose after INEC issued the access code to Ardo instead of the leadership recognized by the association, prompting Rickett to challenge the commission's decision in court.

This development follows an earlier legal challenge by Ardo and other promoters of ADA against INEC regarding the party's registration. Last month, Judge Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court dismissed the suit after ruling that it had been initiated through the wrong procedure and that the issues raised could not be resolved through an originating summons.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) faces its own legal challenges concerning its registration status. The National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, addressed concerns that some candidates might consider leaving the party following a recent court ruling that set aside a previous judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party. Dickson reassured members that the party remains on track and that its candidates are committed to participating in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that the NDC will pursue legal remedies through appellate courts rather than reporting the judge to the National Judicial Council. The NDC plans to file an appeal against the Lokoja judgment, asserting that the ruling does not deregister the party or prevent it from participating in the 2027 general election.