All Democratic Alliance (ADA) promoter Umar Ardo has refuted allegations that the proposed party is associated with Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate.
Speaking Friday on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Ardo denied rumors that Obi was funding ADA, calling them untrue and deceptive.
He claimed that there were rumors that the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, was hesitant to register ADA due to suspicions that Obi was supporting the party and planned to join it.
He claims that as a Nigerian citizen, he has the constitutional right to support a political party, even if Obi were involved.
He clarified that the ADA promoters were disappointed by INEC’s decision to deny approval, despite having fulfilled all legal requirements for registration.
Ardo stated that the group had made the decision to pursue legal action, and that the case would be brought before the court and, if required, the Supreme Court.
Indeed, time is running out, he said. They claim that ADA is Peter Obi’s own political party and that he will rejoin it. This is one of the accusations that are circulating in the rumor cycle. Therefore, ADA shouldn’t be registered because of its political overtones. This is untrue, presuming that Peter Obi is not a Nigerian, even if he does not acknowledge that he is the man behind the ADA. Is he not doing it? Doesn’t he have the authority to support political parties and other organizations?
However, as I previously stated, Peter Obi is not the subject. I’ve never had the opportunity to meet Peter Obi. No one has brought up Peter Obi or me in relation to this issue.
But we will remain silent if we meet all of this and then they (INEC) say no. Courts should decide. That is how we stand. if the court decides quickly. You know, we think we’ll vote if the court decides in our favor, but if not, we’ll appeal to the Supreme Court. Whether or not we vote in this election is essentially irrelevant. We merely wish to demonstrate that we have complied with all legal requirements, and INEC denied us registration for no valid reason.
