Umar Ardo, the leader of the Alliance for Democratic Action (ADA), has provided an explanation for his opposition to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) registration of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ardo claimed that the NDC disregarded the electoral and constitutional requirements for political party registration during an appearance on Arise Televisions’ Morning Show on Thursday.
He claims that creating an association is the first step in registering a political party, which is then followed by submitting a formal letter of intent to INEC with the desired party name, acronym, and logo.
According to him, the NDC sent a letter to INEC requesting registration, but the commission turned it down since the party’s emblem resembled those of already-existing political parties and associations.
According to Ardo, the group was required by law to contest the ruling in court within 14 days, but instead it sent a letter to INEC asking for a reevaluation of its stance.
He further stated that the group went to court using just its letter of intent after the commission failed to respond, which he claimed was insufficient to prove compliance with the Electoral Act and constitutional requirements.
Ardo states that a political organization wishing to register must fill out Form EC15 and upload a number of documents to INEC’s web, such as the party constitution, manifesto, information on national executive members, and evidence of payment of the required fee.
He claimed that before going to court, the NDC had not filled out the form or uploaded the necessary files.
Ardo argued that INEC should have opposed and appealed the court ruling in favour of the NDC since it knew the group had not complied with the registration requirements.
“Why do I oppose NDC?” he said. I must clarify it in order to potentially allay the criticism directed at me and the misconceptions held by many Nigerians.
You see, the first stage is to form an association before registering a political party. Thus, they established the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) group.
“After that, you will write INEC a letter of intent stating that we have established this association and are serious about registering as a political party. This is the association’s name. This is the association’s acronym and logo. Could you please access the portal for us so we may apply using the EC15 form? If you like to register, you must fill out this form.
“NDC sent this letter of intent to INEC. In response, INEC replied to NDC and said, “Look, NDC, this is your registration; we cannot proceed with it because your logo is different.” We are unable to proceed with you since it is comparable to other political groupings and parties.
According to the legislation, you should file a lawsuit if INEC responds to such a letter within 14 days. However, NDC now responded to INEC by writing, “INEC, reconsider your position.” INEC did not respond.
About a month later, NDC wrote once again. We’re giving you a week or a month to think things over, it stated.
“INEC did not respond. After that, NDC chose this letter and filed a lawsuit. With that letter, the court declared that NDC had complied with all constitutional, electoral act, and guidelines requirements, which is untrue.
This is due to the fact that you haven’t filled out form EC 15, which requires you to upload your party’s name. Secondly, you upload this acronym. 3. The logo is uploaded. Fourth, the Constitution is uploaded. Fifth, you post the manifesto. Sixth, you submit the national executive members and executive members. Seven, the charge is uploaded. In order for INEC to grant you access to the portal, you must even pay a price and obtain a receipt.
“You must upload it. To prove that you have applied, you must upload 29 documents. That was not what NDC did. NDC failed to make a payment. That form was not filled out by NDC. NDC took no action. The court stated, “You have fulfilled everything,” after NDC only brought one letter to court.
NDC cannot deceive INEC because INEC is aware of the facts, even if NDC is able to deceive the court and fool naive Nigerians. NDC did not apply, as INEC is aware. INEC should have objected and filed an appeal after they issued that ruling.