… Legal Battle Threatens Party Legitimacy
… Internal Rifts Deepen Across States
… Leadership Tussle Spreads To Kano, South-West
Daud Olatunji
Barely 24 hours after their high-profile defection to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, former presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have been engulfed in a wave of crises threatening the stability and credibility of their new political platform.
Investigations by PLATFORM TIMES reveal that the party is already battling a combination of legal disputes, internal wrangling and trust deficits across key regions, casting doubts on its preparedness as a formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Legal battle over registration
At the heart of the unfolding turmoil is a deepening controversy over the legitimacy of the party’s registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The All Democratic Alliance, one of the political associations that sought registration, has vowed to challenge the process in court, alleging that the NDC did not meet statutory requirements.
A leading figure in the ADA, Umar Ardo, accused INEC of deviating from its guidelines by registering a party that allegedly neither completed formal application procedures nor participated in the 2025 screening exercise involving over 170 associations.
Ardo described the development as “irregular” and “politically influenced,” disclosing that his group had concluded plans to appeal a Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja which compelled INEC to register the NDC.
He maintained that while ADA fulfilled all requirements, including establishing offices nationwide and submitting necessary documentation, its application has remained unresolved for months, unlike the NDC’s case, which was determined within 32 days.
“This level of inconsistency undermines the integrity of the electoral process,” he said, noting that the association invested nearly N200 million in the process.
Dickson dismisses allegations
In a swift response, former Bayelsa State governor and NDC leader, Seriake Dickson, rejected the allegations, insisting that the party followed due process.
Dickson released a 2017 acknowledgement letter from INEC, indicating that the commission had earlier received and accepted the party’s application, confirming that its proposed name met constitutional requirements.
According to him, the party only updated its earlier application when registration resumed, dismissing criticisms as “propaganda, gossip and blackmail.”
He urged Nigerians to ignore the controversy and support the party’s mission to rebuild the country.
Kano crisis over Kwankwaso’s entry
Beyond the legal tussle, internal cracks have surfaced in Kano State, where party leaders have openly resisted Kwankwaso’s perceived influence.
The state chairman of the NDC, Usaini Isa Mai Riga, accused the former governor of attempting to take over the party structure, warning that such a move would be resisted.
“He wants us to hand over the entire party despite our sacrifices. That will not happen,” Mai Riga said.
He also revealed that a planned state congress was abruptly suspended, allegedly to accommodate Kwankwaso’s entry—an action he described as unjust and unacceptable.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get Kwankwaso’s reaction were unsuccessful.
South-West backlash trails Obi’s camp
In the South-West, tensions are also mounting over the party’s leadership composition, with supporters of Obi calling for the resignation of the NDC’s zonal chairperson, Dayo Ekong.
Ekong, a former chieftain of the Labour Party, has been accused by several Obi loyalists of working against his political interests during the 2023 elections.
Critics argued that her continued leadership role could undermine the party’s credibility and unity, warning against a repeat of past political setbacks.
The development highlights growing distrust within the party’s grassroots base, which is critical to its mobilisation efforts.
Uncertain path for new opposition bloc
The convergence of legal disputes, leadership tussles and internal dissent presents an early test for the NDC, widely projected as a potential third-force platform.
Political observers warn that the unfolding crises could weaken the momentum generated by the entry of Obi and Kwankwaso, both influential figures with significant regional followings.
With a looming court battle, unresolved structural conflicts and persistent questions over its formation, the party faces a daunting challenge in consolidating its base and presenting a united front.
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