Okorie to Ardo: NDC registration final, you can’t challenge it

Chekwas Okorie, elder statesman and former presidential candidate, has dismissed criticisms surrounding the registration of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting that the party’s legal status is final and beyond challenge.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Okorie took a swipe at Dr. Umar Ardo, accusing him of peddling “misguided and sponsored propaganda” against the NDC despite their long-standing political relationship.

A leading promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, has raised fresh concerns over alleged irregularities in the registration of the NDC, saying he would challenge the registration in court.

Ardo argued that the process through which the NDC emerged was flawed and failed to meet established legal and procedural standards.

But Okorie traced the origin of the party to 2017, noting that its registration process was stalled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to a general suspension of new political parties at the time.

He explained that the process resumed after the embargo was lifted, but the application was initially rejected over a disputed party logo.

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According to him, the NDC approached the court to challenge what he described as an unlawful exclusion, securing a judgement that compelled INEC to register the party.

“The judgement has been fully implemented, INEC did not appeal, and the window for any appeal has elapsed. No individual or group has the legal standing to challenge the registration,” he said.

He added that INEC had since issued the party its certificate of registration and monitored its first National Executive Committee meeting, in line with statutory requirements.

Okorie argued that the NDC is not the only party registered through court intervention, citing similar precedents, and questioned why critics have singled out the NDC.

He maintained that the NDC is gaining nationwide acceptance and remains open to Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative.